I had a good visit with Mark Toloso Wednesday. Mark is running against Glenn Benton for the District 2 Police Jury seat.
Because of questions that came up in the comments of his announcement in the blog, I asked Mark specifically about his experience working for the Sheriff and we got into a lot of detail. Some statements were made by commenters that Mark had ‘never really policed or arrested anyone’ and that he was a ‘yes man’. He pointed out that when you work for an elected official who has complete autonomy over his department, and when that official assigns you a task, ‘no’ is not an option.
As to never really policing, when he first came to the Department in 1977 under Vol Dooley, he started out on patrol. He was then assigned to the DEA Task Force working as an undercover narcotics officer for a year, spent a short hitch with detectives and then went to patrol for 8 years working every shift at different times. Obviously, his answer was that he did a lot of policing and made numerous arrests.
In 1984 Mark was certified as a Firearms Instructor & a PR-24 Instructor, in 1985 attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico.
When Larry Deen took office in 1988, he stayed on patrol until 1989 when he became Public Affairs Officer. In 1990 he was certified as a DARE officer and taught DARE in the school system for 10 years. Towards the end of that 10 year period he was assigned to be Director of the Bossier City Substation and was promoted to the rank of Captain.
As to charges that he ‘never supervised anyone’, he pointed out that in 2001 he was assigned to Corrections as Assistant Warden at the Minimum Security prison, and a year later was promoted to Warden.
As to lawsuits against the Sheriff’s office naming him, he pointed out that the Warden of any facility is subject to being sued for any number of reasons. He also stated that most of the lawsuits resulted from simply following DOC policy.
Mark works a few days a month as a bailiff at the courthouse since retirement.
Now to the to the subject at hand, his run for Police Jury. Mark believes that he can give the people of District 2 better representation, and vows to be accessible at all times.
"I have talked to a number of people who believe that when people are elected, they just fall into line with the ‘powers that be’. I promise to always vote for the people of my district, and to state my intentions and then follow through on them. Part of the problem is that too much money has been available to the Police Jury, and if the money is there, they will spend it. It’s time to economize."
Sounds like he is a good man and would do good on the PJ. I hope we get lots of new blood on the PJ that will discuss issues in public, not bow down to the powers and do the citizens of Bossier Parish proud. We need to elect good honest folks who truly believe government is for the people and not what they can get for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think Mark is a fine person - but Glenn Benton has done an excellent job for his district. As most people find out when they get involved - instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining - that most of the folks in Bossier are doing the right things for the right reasons - and when the againers get involved - they find out that the "powers that be" are just doing what needs to be done. If you truly want to make Bossier better - get off your a-- and get involved.
ReplyDeleteYour career at BPSO sounds legit. But if you advanced through the ranks through hard work and dedication and you say you went along with the program only to keep your job, I say fair enough. Now that your retired though I say it's time for you to tell what you know and what you plan on doing to clean up the corruption.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Anonymous 7:52...
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Anonymous 7:52...
ReplyDeleteMark said it all when he basically said he went along to get along. If you think he's for the people, you are wrong. He will sell us out whenever anyone above him says jump. And As far as telling the truth about the S.O/Deen corruption, his lips are zipped. So much for being an honest man.
ReplyDeleteI believe you are right Bill but I'm at least gonna give him the opportunity to be honest. That is why win or lose I'm sticking by someone like Mike McConnell.
ReplyDeleteIt's not whether Deen was crooked and dishonest, it's to what extent and Toloso knows alot. If he retired as a captain from BPSO then he obviously does not need the money. So he has the opportunity to tell the voters which side of the fence he is going to play.
Mark, the choice is yours. We can't wait to hear from you.
The sheriff is an elected official so no matter what he tells the deputies to do, or not do, right or wrong, he is expressing the will of the people. So no matter what you think of the sheriff and his tactics, the people of this parish kept him in office for a nearly a quarter of a century and probably would have re-elected him. So if Mark went along with the sheriff, it appears to me he was just being a good deputy.
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:23,
ReplyDeleteGood rationale. I guess that is one vote for the corrupt politicians. Mrs. Deen is that you?
1:12 AM
ReplyDeleteYou missed the hint of sarcasm in my post. I worked with Mark when I was a deputy. Mark was a good deputy; he went along with the program. I was a bad deputy; I didn't agree with how the department was being run and was unable to be heard, so I quit.
But the people of this parish are the ones who allow politicians to remain in office to build their kingdoms and become political royalty. What's a deputy to do? You either go along with the program or you move along.
So if Mark was just being a good deputy because he went along with the Deen corrupt program, then whats to keep being a good PJ and just going along with that corruption. MAT doesn't have the gall or gumption to stand up for what is right and honest. Sounds to me like he is a run of the mill politician!!!!
ReplyDeleteMark, we all know that you are reading all of these posts, but you have not responded to a single one of them. Why not? I will tell you why, because we tell the truth, and you are not the saint that you portray yourself to be. I want you to answer my question:
ReplyDeleteDid you or did you not harrass Mr. McConnell in this forum under the name of "M A T"? And, please be honest, some know the truth.
Hi Jim. I asked some questions a week or so ago pertaing to this candidate, but as to date have not read any answers. So I will post them again. 1.How many PJ meetings has Mr. Toloso attended off-duty. 2. What changes does he plan on making. 3. Why does he want to be on the PJ
ReplyDeletePlain and simple you are only sued if you are involved in wrong doing or if you are a part of wrong doing. No one just decides to file a law suit. This guy is a big part of business as usual at the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office. If he is so honest why doesn't he answer the questions that are being ask and tell the voting public what was the out come or at least what was he sued for.
ReplyDeleteannon 12:25. I have to disagree w you on your statement about being sued. Police are sued all the time just for doing our job. I have been sued 4 time in my 12 yr career. all of them were dismissed but the stigma is still there. I am not a fan of Mr. Toloso but that statement could effect everyone who wears a uniform
ReplyDeleteBill R, The answer to your question is No, I did not harrass Mr. Mcconnell. I did go back and find the comments that you are speaking of and I honestly don't see any harrasment in the two posts from "MAT"
ReplyDeleteAnnon 9:13am. I may have messed up. I posted answers, and they didn't show up, so I will try again.
ReplyDeleteI have not attended any Police Jury meetings on duty or off duty. I choose to keep up with the meetings on the Police Jury website.
I would like to see the meeting times and places changed, periodically, to allow better access to the Jury. I would like to see conservative spendng be the first instinct of the Jury.
I am retired and can spend whatever time is necessary to represent the citizens of District 2. The citizens of District 2 will be my boss, and I will work FOR them. Thanks for your questions.
annon:12:25 When you were sued those four times was it over your neglect and did the people die? I do not think those suits are filed against good officers doing their job. Two suits have been filed against Toloso because those people died. Look it up on the internet if you really care and are not one of his familymembers.
ReplyDeleteOne of them was my best friend because of his neglectful behavior
ReplyDeleteMark, no MAT, no Mark... whoever. I see you have been (almost) forthcoming in your answers, now what about the other "annon" replies you harrassed Mr. McConnell over? And again, please be honest, because some of us know.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh MAT, yoohoo, you said, "I would like to see conservative spendng be the first instinct of the Jury."
ReplyDeleteWell, aint that a bunch of crap. Your reply to Mr. McConnell when he brought out the fact that Sheriff Deen's secretary makes $114,000 a year you said, "Is it illegal to pay employees a livable wage? No. Is it illegal to provide his executive assistant with a vehicle? No."
Uhhh, what the hell are you trying to say here? You want the PJ to be conservative with my money but its ok for the sheriffs office to spend in like crazy? And, you think its ok for a secretary to make 114k with a take home car? I suspect you will be one of those guys that votes in a pay raise for himself.
And, I am still waiting for the answer to my other question.
In refrence to the law suits that I was involved in, there were two of them. I will not discuss them in detail in this type forum. I will say that whoever the Warden, Assistant Warden, Sheriff, etc.... was at the time, would have been brought into the lawsuit. I was the Assistant Warden at that time. That lawsuit was dimissed by a Federal Judge and all were exonerated.
ReplyDeleteThe second lawsuit is still pending.
So, M A T, what's the beef with McConnell? Seems that anyone who supports the old way of thinking (Deen's) in Bossier Parish is a vote for the status quo. My vote is for anyone, including McConnell, who can clean up Bossier politics and give the hardworking Bossier Deputies the respect they deserve. It's been a long time since they were given the opportunity to protect, serve, and do the job I am paying them to do. All without being dismissed for upsetting one of Deen's cronies!
ReplyDeleteBill R.
ReplyDeleteAs you can tell he is giving politically safe answers and dodging the tough questions. Nothing is going to change with this guy.
The first lawsuit the family is a friend of mine and believe this the Sherriff's office circled the wagons and the meaning cover up does not even begin to tell you what my friend went through and how that family has suffered. Please check the internet. We do not want this guy holding any public office, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
ReplyDelete5:19,
ReplyDeleteI hate to tell you this but not too many people are going feel sorry for someone who was in jail.
5:19 AM
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to find the lawsuit you speak of with Toloso but cant find anything. Can you give more details?
Thanks
9:18
ReplyDeleteNice try Toloso. Regardless of them being in jail, we are speaking of human life. They could have been in jail on something as minor as driving on a bad license or a traffic ticket they forgot to pay.
Mark, Mark, Mark, you are not impressing anyone with your game of Ring-Around-The-Rosie. You badgered Mr. McConnell with all kinds of things that you thought were skeletons and he explained every last one of them and made you look stupid. I even think at one time he said his life was an open book. Every quesstion you asked him, to make him look bad, he answered and ended up gaining lots of support from this forum. Now Mark, it is your turn. Please, for the third time, answer the questions about your lawsuits and the other questions that I asked earlier that you have not answered. If you cant slide your crap past this forum, do you really think you will be able to slide it past the rest of the voting public? Because it will come out, you can bet on that. You are nothing but a school yard bully and you learned from the best, Larry Deen.
ReplyDeleteLook who is calling the kettle black? Sounds like, that no matter what Mr. Toloso response is, YOU are going to BAGGER him unless he cowers to you!
ReplyDeleteToloso and Wittington are the kind that everyone claims to want out of office.(good old boys) They were taught by the master Larry Deen. Now it is time we put up or shut up.
ReplyDeleteWhere were you when he was beating up on Mr. McConnell?
ReplyDeleteMr. Toloso, Thank you for answering my questions from before. But I do have a few more I would like to ask. Having never been to a PJ meeting how do you know what is broken there other than what you read in the papers. The papers are giving you thier biased opinion of what they think is wrong. Second question is one you forgot to answer, Why do you want to be on the PJ
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 6:25 said, "I do not think those suits are filed against good officers doing their job."
ReplyDeleteIt is quite evident you're not in law enforcement or know one damned thing about law enforcement, or you wouldn't have made such and ignorant statement. Do yourself a favor and get educated. Go to your local clerk of court office and find out how many lawsuits are filed against law enforcement officers, and what they are sued for. It's public record. Go look. Then see how many are dismissed for lack of merit, or how the courts ruled on many of them.
The people who file suits are pissed, because they got a ticket, they were arrested, the fought the police and go their ass whooped for doing so, they didn't get enough butter for their sandwich while in jail.... the list goes one and on.
Yes, I'm a police officer, and I've been sued. Why was I sued? BECAUSE I DID MY FRIGGIN JOB.
I've been sued because I wrote a ticket and the violator said I violated their civil rights. I had to fight as suspect (got hurt in the process) and the suspect got hurt, but he felt I violated his civil rights, because I wouldn't take the ass whooping he tried to give me.
My record is impeccable, several officers I know who have been sued have just as impeccable records. All one has to do is put on a badge, and they are targets for any scumbag lawyer with a scumbag client who feels their rights have been violated.
Please, go educate yourself, so you don't sound so damned stupid.
7:03 needs to take a Anger Management Class! What did this Mark guy do to make you so angry. He is just running for PJ if you do not like him do not vote for him! Lordee what is the deal I am going to do some research on this Mark guy to try to see what your hostility against him is all about!
ReplyDeleteMark is that you? Sounds like you have anger management issues. Just because someone does not know the law does not condone you acting like a damn fool either. Instead, teach them the law and both will be better for it.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, hold up there little missy, I didnt crank that one off. I will always leave my name. I have said my peace and now I will leave Mr. Mark Toloso alone..... unless he furthers the confrontation.
ReplyDelete7:36,
ReplyDeleteI don't think 7:03 is mad at Mark. He is just informing the one poster who keeps bringing up the lawsuits. What I want know is why was the person in jail?
Jason C., The minutes from each Police Jury meeting are on their website. They are very detailed, including how each juror voted. I don't depend on the media for the information. I will start to attend meetings in the near furture, right now I think it best to follow the Jury on the website.
ReplyDeleteI want to serve on the Police Jury because I have been serving the people of Bossier Parish for 30 years. I served under two sheriffs, but always felt as I was working for the citizens. I was fortunate to retire at what I consider an early age and I want to keep working for the citizens of District 2. I have lived in District 2 for about 19 years and I want it to be the best place to live in Bossier Parish. I want to listen to the people of District 2 and represent them the way THEY want to be represented. Being able to work closely with the people that are your "neighbors" is appealing to me. I can and will devote my time and energy representing District 2. I am a consertive Republican, and I want to see the Police Jury be conservitive in it's spending and to be accountable for their spending. On the Police Jury I would be but one of twelve members. I promise to be a vocal 1/12th, when it comes to what the people of District 2 need.
I don't know alot about computers, but I have one and I will set up some way for the public to reach me through e-mail, website, cell phone or in person. I will be available to the citizens, should they choose to elect me to represent them. Sorry so long, but I hope I answered your questions.
I live in Dist 2 and have a lot more questions. But I think it best to ask you in person. Afraid they will get lost amongst all the bickering on here. Is there some way to contact you in person
ReplyDeleteJason C. you can e-mail me at marktoloso@yahoo.com We can talk there or I will be glad to meet you and talk issues.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds pretty good. Makes you wonder who it is on here whose only agenda is to slander Mr. Toloso.
ReplyDeleteTo the idiot dismissing the significance of all the lawsuits. As a past law enforcment officer myself I can tell you that the whole problem with our system is the Lawyers. Our legal system is driven by them. The biggest threat to someone wearing a badge is a Lawyer not the criminal on the street.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there are lots of lawyers waiting to find someone who whats to sue the cops because of deep pockets.
ReplyDeleteI am new to this sight. I was told about it by a Bossier Parish
ReplyDeleteDeputy that is presently employed with Bossier Parish. My husband's
grandfather was a deputy under Willie Wagoner. I have spoken with the mother of the young man that die while an inmate. It is my belief that he could have been saved if he had been given the proper medicine. My son also fail under the abuse of Toloso. He died.These were not murderers or bank robbers. The answer to the question of how to find this information on the internet is to Google Bossier Parish Sheriff/suits failed against in federal court. You will get more information than you have bargained for. Yea O.J. Simpson got off also.
The best way for toloso to serve bossier parish is to get the hell out!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile its tragic that someone died while in jail. They should not have been there in the first place. I would like to know why they where in jail in the first place? It's not fair to blame Toloso. It's not a day care or a retirement home as some would have it be. Thats whats wrong with things today.
ReplyDeleteok first off not everyone in jail has been found guilty of a crime. Jails are used to house the accused as well as those whose cases have been adjucated. Prisons are designed to house those who have been sentenced and those facilities have full medical staff, jails do not. At most a jail may have an EMT or a nurse that is not there 24 hours a day. Before you people point fingers and lay blame I would ask if you have read the entire case file or are you just usuing the fact that someone is being sued to determine guilt. I understand that most of you don't like Mr. Toloso for personal reasons. And although I have met him a few times and may not agree with a lot of the things he has done I am still willing to ask pertenant questions as to the reasons why he wants to be on the PJ. Why don't you people get off you Republican/Democrat/Tea Party high horses and ask some legitimate questions. I am an Independent and vote for who and what I think is right not on party lines. And Bill R why don't you tell us some of the bad things you've done in you life before you ask others to reveil theirs
ReplyDeleteNone, I'm a Saint!!!
ReplyDeleteI am not saying that Mr. Toloso is a bad person, I'm just pointing out that the kettle should not call the pot black. Just because Mr. Toloso wanted Larry Deen to stay in his crooked power does not warrant him trying to destroy Mr. McConnell.
Now Mr. Toloso knows how Mr. McConnell probably felt when he was bad mouthing him.
Like I said, I'm done. Now JC, lets move on because I know lessons have been learned, Huh MAT.
I saw a Jerry Carter for Police Jury sign today north of Benton. Does anyone know if that's the Jerry Carter that also retired from the Bossier Sheriff's Office?
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap, what the Hell is going on??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
ReplyDeleteBill R, would you share with us how Mr. Toloso tried to destroy Mr. McConnell. We would like to know
ReplyDelete5:47 PM - same Jerry Carter, Winfred Johnston has 5 or 6 challengers, signs all over.
ReplyDeleteI think Bill was refering to posts made bask in Jan, Feb or March
ReplyDeleteno new comments think everyone knows what kiss ass you are
ReplyDeleteGlen Benton is one of the finest people I know and hope and pray that all voters in District 2 will keep a man of his word in office. Even if you call him and you are not in his district, he will do all he will do all that he can do to take care of your problems. He is an honest, hard working man that has raised his own family in District 2.... LET'S KEEP SOMEONE WE REALLY KNOW IN OFFICE. GLENN BENTON HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB....NO NEED TO FIX WHAT IS NOT BROKEN.
ReplyDelete