Des Moines, Washington

Selects Roger Baker as Police Chief

On October 20, 2003, The City of Des Moines, Washington, selected Roger Baker to serve as its next Police Chief. Chief Baker, the current Chief of Anaheim, California, will begin his new role just after the first of the year.

Roger Baker was selected from an original pool of 53 candidates that was narrowed down to six who competed in a final interview process that included input from City Council members, citizenry, city department heads and departmental staff. After a comprehensive background investigation, Chief Baker was selected. Before Baker was appointed to Chief of Police in Anaheim in1999, he served as Captain for 10 years, commanding all divisions of the police department. In February 1999, Baker was appointed Acting Chief of Police and then named Chief after a nationwide field search for the position.

Baker has distinguished himself as a leader both professionally and academically. His professional affiliations include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Society of Police Futurist, and the World Future Society. He is a member of the executive boards of the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association, and Orange County Joint Terrorism Task Force. He is a past president of the Orange County Peace Officers Association and serves on the advisory boards of the Boys and Girls Club, Anaheim Family YMCA and Western Youth Services. In addition, Baker has developed courses and has been an instructor for Chapman University, California POST, California Department of Justice, Rancho Santiago College, and Golden West College. Baker has both a Masters Degree in Psychology and a graduate certificate on Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the U.S. Department of Justice Southwest Command College. He has served with the Anaheim Police for 29 years, and also has experience developing and teaching courses at various colleges and universities in California.