Agree with you 100%. If he was retired, and without influence over others in law enforcement, he would be okay in my opinion to have such a business. You would think he would understand the confict of interest/ethics.
He can state that money paid to his business would not influence his decision making. Unfortunately people state a lot of things; in this case it is easy to see the potential for under the table deals, and deals for personal profit over community value.
Yes, it's very common for retired LEOs to consult. This is an active Sheriff using his office to sell services related to the function he oversees. I have never heard of anything like this.
This is so frustrating for me. I admired the hell out of him when he took over the Greece PD. That department was an absolute mess from when Merritt Rahn ran it. Baxter did a great job in reforming the PD. When he left to run for sheriff, I supported him 100%. Slowly but surely my support has fallen by the wayside as I see him trying to monetize his position. Turns out he is no better than most other politicians. 😞
I am trying to figure out how those years of experience add up that Baxter cites in the ad. Nearly four decades in public safety in addition to 22 years in the US Army plus guiding a nonprofit. So if Baxter started in the Army at 18 and left at 40, then spent nearly four decades in public safety (I guess that means the RPD), and in between had this stint at a nonprofit, he’s obviously over 80 now.
The image posted May 13 2026 is of him in his RPD uniform, from which he is retired. I'm sure that was deliberate. He does have one from Sept 1 2025 of him in his MCSO uniform but he was speaking at an event so he may have been off duty. At least the LLC isn't registered to his office!
Thanks for noting that, as someone also did on Facebook. A reasonable person would infer he’s still a current LEO and acting as Sheriff. No casual observer is making these distinctions. and yes, they do have another post of him in his Sheriff’s uniform, and the marketing refers to him as a Sheriff. You can’t make him not the Sheriff in this context.
I couldn’t find the registration for the LLC in NY. Doesn’t mean it’s not there.
At my work (I’m full time and my salary and benefits include coming from public funding) I’m required, each year, to file a Form of potential conflicts. These include any money I earn, investments I have, as well those of primary relatives, that may affect my work decisions.
Is there a yearly conflict reporting requirement for County employees, including electeds?
These details matter. If I get more than a cup of coffee from a vendor, I need to disclose, but I’m actually not supposed to accept. Our yearly training guides us as to what we are supposed to do if we even get offered a dinner (decline and report). If we have a side business, which is allowed, as well as sitting in boards of companies as advisors, it means we aren’t working full time, and need to declare what percent of effort goes to side activities, and salary is affected.
This is a both a conflict of interest, as well as a conflict of commitment for Sheriff Baxter.
The rules for elected officials are more squishy than employees. They cannot be "disciplined" or "fired." However, the ethics board can issue a decision. Further, we do have Public Officers Law, which offers further guidance and does have teeth.
It's possible the legislature should beef up the code and the penalties.
Agree with you 100%. If he was retired, and without influence over others in law enforcement, he would be okay in my opinion to have such a business. You would think he would understand the confict of interest/ethics.
He can state that money paid to his business would not influence his decision making. Unfortunately people state a lot of things; in this case it is easy to see the potential for under the table deals, and deals for personal profit over community value.
Yes, it's very common for retired LEOs to consult. This is an active Sheriff using his office to sell services related to the function he oversees. I have never heard of anything like this.
This is so frustrating for me. I admired the hell out of him when he took over the Greece PD. That department was an absolute mess from when Merritt Rahn ran it. Baxter did a great job in reforming the PD. When he left to run for sheriff, I supported him 100%. Slowly but surely my support has fallen by the wayside as I see him trying to monetize his position. Turns out he is no better than most other politicians. 😞
I still think he’s a very popular politician, but I like the term you used “monetize his position.” That’s what this seems to be.
All cops are MAGAs. This is MAGA behavior.
I am trying to figure out how those years of experience add up that Baxter cites in the ad. Nearly four decades in public safety in addition to 22 years in the US Army plus guiding a nonprofit. So if Baxter started in the Army at 18 and left at 40, then spent nearly four decades in public safety (I guess that means the RPD), and in between had this stint at a nonprofit, he’s obviously over 80 now.
The image posted May 13 2026 is of him in his RPD uniform, from which he is retired. I'm sure that was deliberate. He does have one from Sept 1 2025 of him in his MCSO uniform but he was speaking at an event so he may have been off duty. At least the LLC isn't registered to his office!
Thanks for noting that, as someone also did on Facebook. A reasonable person would infer he’s still a current LEO and acting as Sheriff. No casual observer is making these distinctions. and yes, they do have another post of him in his Sheriff’s uniform, and the marketing refers to him as a Sheriff. You can’t make him not the Sheriff in this context.
I couldn’t find the registration for the LLC in NY. Doesn’t mean it’s not there.
state corp search: Baxter & Barnes (note the ampersand)
Those pesky ampersands!
At my work (I’m full time and my salary and benefits include coming from public funding) I’m required, each year, to file a Form of potential conflicts. These include any money I earn, investments I have, as well those of primary relatives, that may affect my work decisions.
Is there a yearly conflict reporting requirement for County employees, including electeds?
He does have to submit a financial disclosure, but there is no obligation to disclose clients. The Board of Ethics receives the disclosures.
Can the public view these disclosures of additional income of this county employee already getting $170K in our tax money?
These details matter. If I get more than a cup of coffee from a vendor, I need to disclose, but I’m actually not supposed to accept. Our yearly training guides us as to what we are supposed to do if we even get offered a dinner (decline and report). If we have a side business, which is allowed, as well as sitting in boards of companies as advisors, it means we aren’t working full time, and need to declare what percent of effort goes to side activities, and salary is affected.
This is a both a conflict of interest, as well as a conflict of commitment for Sheriff Baxter.
I agree.
The rules for elected officials are more squishy than employees. They cannot be "disciplined" or "fired." However, the ethics board can issue a decision. Further, we do have Public Officers Law, which offers further guidance and does have teeth.
It's possible the legislature should beef up the code and the penalties.
And using a Gmail address for business. Wow.