BUCKHOLTS (July 11, 2012)--Buckholts Police
Chief James Blackmon was suspended with pay for 60 days on Sunday after he was
on misdemeanor charge of falsifying a government document.
After 60 days, a city spokesperson said the
police chief could return to work, be permanently suspended or his suspension
could be extended until the close of the investigation.
Officers representing the Texas Commission
on Law Enforcement Standards and Education and Milam County deputies arrested
Blackmon at around 4:15 on July 5 at the Buckholts Police Department on the
warrant charging falsifying a government document, which is a Class A
misdemeanor.
TCLEOSE, which is charged with certifying
peace officers in the state, said they initiated the investigation that led to
the arrest after receiving reports that Blackmon carried more than a dozen
officers on his roster when there were only three actually working at the
department.
The extra officers were listed as members of
the town's police force so they could qualify to do private security jobs, according
to TCLEOSE.
TCLEOSE said Blackmon has been a police
officer for 24 years and 11 months and during that time has held 22 different
jobs.
Blackmon was released from jail the same day
of his arrest at around 10 p.m. after posting a $2,500 bond.