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There's nothing classy about driving drunk, perhaps especially when you're the Chief of Police. But former Alexandria Police Chief David Baker has at least managed to handle the aftermath of his recent DUI arrest with a healthy amount of respect for the law. After retiring from his position almost immediately following his arrest, Baker today pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, and will serve five days in jail. Baker will also lose his driver's license for a year, pay a $300 fine and attend the county's Alcohol Safety Action Program for DUI offenders. From the statement Baker released after his court hearing, via the Post: "I offer no excuses for my bad decisions and behavior because there are none. And I am, and will be, forever haunted by the personal embarrassment and humiliation I caused to those who have supported, mentored and guided me through my personal life and long and rewarding public safety career."
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There is something refreshing about seeing an official who made a mistake take responsibility and bear the consequences without being forced to do so. Honestly, I think that Baker's actions make him quite a role model.
Agreed. While I obviously disapprove of what got him there in the first place, I'm in no position to cast stones, as I've certainly taken my chances behind the wheel more than once; luckily, without incident. But as I've grown older and seen more and more situations like this and the abhorrent Donte Stallworth debacle (really? 24 days? He killed someone!), I've learned it's just not worth it to tempt fate in that manner.
A real man can admit to his kids (and the general public) that he made a mistake, and accept the consequences without reservation. My hat's off to you, sir. May you learn and help others to learn from your transgression.
I don't think he really had a choice. Even with whatever immunities he might have as a police chief, it would be impossible to deny the DWI charges he got into an accident and had such a high blood alcohol level. I think he handled the situation as gracefully as he could, but I don't think his admission of guilt is anything heroic.
Considering that getting caught with their pants down doesn't stop people from protesting their innocence these days (think Larry Craig, Mark Sanford, Plaxico Burress), I'd argue that his contemporaries have made Baker's choice appear more heroic than it should be.
Agreed. And would someone please queue up Chris Rock? Shame on us for becoming such low-expectation motherfuckers that we're heaping praise on someone for doing nothing more than what he was supposed to do AFTER he did something he wasn't supposed to...and got caught.
Nice that he "handle[d] the aftermath of his recent DUI arrest with a healthy amount of respect for the law," considering the lack of respect he showed to it beforehand. He doesn't deserve my respect; he could have killed someone.
Hey, if McNulty from The Wire can drink and drive, why can't cops in real life?
Its near impossible to get off from a DUI charge once arrested. Sounds like he got exactly what you or I would have got for that type of DUI arrest.
Actually, what screwed him was his collision with another vehicle. Had he been stopped for other reasons, it would have been the officer's discretion as to what to do with him. Once another vehicle was involved, the "look the other way" option was off the table.
So no, it's not near impossible to get off. Just make sure you (A) have a badge and (B) don't cause property damage.