Downey police captain is guest speaker at historical society

DOWNEY — Downey Police Capt. Brian Baker will be the guest speaker at the Downey Historical Society on Thursday, Feb. 23, starting at 6:30 pm.

Baker began his career as a police officer with the Vernon Police Department in 1994. After three years of dedicated service, in 1997 he was hired by the Downey Police Department.

Over the next seven years, Baker was assigned as a patrol officer in the Field Operations Division. During that time he promoted to the rank of Corporal and was chosen as a Field Training Officer. In 2004, he transferred from the Field Operations Division to the Detective Bureau and worked as an auto theft detective before being assigned as a gang investigator.

Baker was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2006, and over the following six years he had assignments in Field Operations, the Detective Bureau, and Administration.

In December 2012, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assigned to patrol as a watch commander, with collateral duties overseeing scheduling, the Field Training program, and Special Operations. In 2016, he was assigned to Administration and oversaw Professional Standards, Training, the department’s S.E.T. Team, Neighborhood Watch, Records Bureau, along with the Park Ranger and Volunteer programs.

In May 2021, Baker was promoted to the rank of Captain and he currently oversees the Field Operations.

In 2011, Baker completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management. In 2016, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute, the P.O.S.T. Management Course, and the Los Angeles Police Department’s: West Point Leadership Program.

In his spare time, he enjoys cheering for the Green Bay Packers and boating on the Colorado River with his wife of 23 years and their daughter.