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November 18, 2006

Former JPD chief, officer hired as county constables

By April Barbe

Cherokee County Constable Eddie Lee of Precinct No. 3 has hired two new reserve constables whose names may sound familiar.

Ray Bouman and Mark Johnson, both of whom resigned from the Jacksonville Police Department in the spring, were recently hired to work one day a month for Lee.

“I think Ray and Mark are fine, upstanding officers, and they are really liked by people in this area,” Lee said.

According to Lee, the officers face losing certain law enforcement certifications if they are not working as officers within 180 days of leaving a previous job. Therefore, Lee is “carrying their commissions.”

Once trained by Lee, both will perform duties like writing tickets, pursuing drug and theft cases and peform civil duties.

“We try to take care of a lot of things the sheriff’s department doesn’t have time to take care of. A constable has authority over a lot of different things,” Lee said.

With both officers having left JPD amidst internal and external investigations of proper procedure, some community members may have concerns. However, Lee said he believes the officers’ experience and the fact that neither have been charged with anything means they are qualified for reserve constable positions.

“I feel they were crucified by the press. It’s part of the job. Everyone is looked at by the FBI somewhere down the line ... just because people are saying this and that,” Lee said. “If they (FBI) do find anything, then I’d have to let them go – I’d have no choice.”

An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has yet to solidify accusations against Bouman, and Johnson was the focus of an internal investigation by a private consultant hired by the City of Jacksonville. The consultant found that he was not following procedures as the police chief.

Lee said Johnson also operates a security system service.

Bouman works offshore, and he said he would “like to remain in law enforcement as long as possible.

“I have received so much support from friends and family that it would be hard for me to give up law enforcement,” Bouman said. “I have received literally hundreds of phone calls and so much support from the community.”

I hope that I can continue to help the community that I live in and have lived in my whole life.”

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