Marietta chief failed to dispose of meth ingredients

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Posted: 6:22 PM Oct 15, 2007
Last Updated: 12:54 PM Oct 16, 2007
Reporter: Todd Larkin
Email Address: todd.larkin@kxii.com

7 comments

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MARIETTA, Okla. -- Marietta Police Chief William Baker remains on suspension pending an internal investigation by city leaders. Now, his police department has moved to a new location. We’re told Monday that it may be due to evidence that was being stored in the police station seized in a traffic stop over a month ago in which Baker failed to properly dispose of ingredients used to make methamphetamine.

Chief Baker was put on leave over a week ago. A source told KXII-TV on Monday the same reason for his suspension may have caused the city to close the police department and move it to Main Street.

While no one from the City of Marietta would go on the record on Monday, we're told that Chief Baker failed to properly dispose of ingredients used to make methamphetamine.

The ingredients were evidence, and were apparently left in the police department for weeks.

The noxious fumes caused several city employees including other officers to become ill.

Meth ingredients can include ether, Freon, and ephedrine, but it's not clear which chemicals were being stored at the police department.

We're told the ingredients were from seized in a traffic stop over a month ago.

The Marietta mayor would not confirm or deny the accusations but did say the department had been moved for the time being, and the investigation will continue.

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Posted by: get this Location: oklahoma on Nov 10, 2007 at 05:39 PM
after all tht went on @ the ploice dept. and city hall the the council and the mayor had city city staff go back in there to clean everthing up and throw away so you tell me who is in the wrong now

Posted by: ummm Location: another person on Oct 17, 2007 at 09:53 AM
what the heck how stupbid is that but yes everyone that was there on the scene and the arrest and booking and logging everything in should also be investigated as well one guy could have said its taken care of and the chief believed him

Posted by: Former dispatcher Location: Oklahoma on Oct 16, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Just because someone has been in law enforcement a long time, does not necessarily mean they have the experience of dealing with hazmats - and that is just what those chemicals and residues are HAZMATS. Maybe he tried to get his officers trained only to not be approved by the council? I think there are a lot more questions around this issue than pointing the finger at the Chief. Some of "those chemicals" alone are common household materials; only in combination do they become toxic by products. There are retired Sheriffs and other law enforcement people with lung ailments from exposure to meth chemicals from 10 yrs ago that are dying without any workmens comp or benefits because of the lack of understanding and awareness back then. We should be past that now, Should if it were not for constricted budgets and funding not getting the education and experience necessary to deal with the meth epidemic. The good citizens need to address the entire issue not just the icing on the cake.

Posted by: Lynn Location: sherman on Oct 16, 2007 at 08:31 AM
What an idiot.

Posted by: DEA Location: Ok on Oct 16, 2007 at 05:08 AM
Thats nice to know that the police chief put his officers, city staff, and the public that comes into the police department in danger for not properly storing the chemicals used to manufacture Methamphetamine. Those chemicals are highly toxic to humans. Well anyways before I get more fustrated, I'll shut up for now.

Posted by: unknown Location: marietta on Oct 15, 2007 at 09:23 PM
maybe they should look at who actually brought in the chemical to the police department it was not the chief maybe the mayor should be investigating the other person's involved.

Posted by: hmmm.... Location: nowhere on Oct 15, 2007 at 08:45 PM
wow imagine that... lets just leave a bunch of dangerous chemicals laying around in our evidence so we can all get sick..... chief baker has been around law enforcement long enough to know that you dont bag and store items of that nature. If chief baker would allow his personell to attend the appropriate narcotics classes the officers would have known the highest probabillity of what the chemicals were and the city would not have the problem of sick employees or having to find a temporary home for the police officers. Leadership skills are a requirement for a city opperation and now lets get someone with the experience needed to make the city of marietta a desirable place to work and live. Concerned citizens are worried about their safety and the safety of our children. There is a drug problem and marietta officers need the knowledge to know what they are dealing with!!!

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