City Manager Tony Piasecki wrote in response to Des Moines Chief of Police Roger Baker's retirement announcement:

"On behalf of the residents of the City of Des Moines, the City Council, and city staff, thank you for your service to the community. Your efforts over the last six years have resulted in lower crime rates, a reduced fear of crime throughout the city, and a better trained and equipped professional police force serving everyone who lives in Des Moines. Without doubt you have made Des Moines a better place."

Chief Baker's "Announcement of Retirement" reads: "It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from the City of Des Moines.
I've had the good fortune to work with the great organization and outstanding staff of the City of Des Moines and Police Department for over 6 years. It has been my pleasure to lead the daunting task of restoring police services in our City. I could not have had better teams to work with to successfully accomplish that task."

It was January 21, 2004 when I first wrote about Chief Baker and his wife Shirley. Now, six plus years later Chief Baker's Retirement decision is today's subject.

Police protection both then and now is a major part of any city's budget. When Chief Roger Baker was hired the Operating Budget was $6,687,466.

"I plan to make partners of everyone in Des Moines to create a safe place to live, work and play," he declared. When he reached out to the people good things happened, including considerable increased police revenue.

Unfortunately in the fall of 2009, the Des Moines Police Department was directed to remove about $900,000 from the 2010 proposed budget due to the continuing economic recession. The result was elimination of funding for 11 Police Department positions, including, 8 Police Officers, 2 Community Service Officers, and 1 Records Specialist.

Chief Baker developed and implemented a business plan to provide the department with funding, and a strategic plan to improve resource utilization and provide direction for the department.

Ordinances were created or revised, focusing on crime reduction and secure revenue streams outside of the existing city's general fund.

The end result was restoring and sustaining police services that immediately addressed the increasing crime rate. Passing of the Levy Lid Lift by voters was and is key to many accomplishments.

In 2004 Des Moines was loaded with career criminals, street gangs, pimps with their prostitutes, drug lords and slum rental properties that attracted bad influences because of owners who did not enforce regulations.

Bad guys hung out along Highway 99 and moved west into downtown Des Moines leaving graffiti and crime. This city was not so safe then. Master Police Officer Steven Underwood was killed in the line of duty leaving a young son, wife and grieving fellow police officers.

With community Levy Lid Lift funding and the Enhanced Public Safety Committee input, Chief Baker formed a Crime Task Force of well-trained and equipped officers who stepped in and cleaned out Pacific Ridge criminals.

In 2009, Chief Baker said, "I wish to commend the entire staff of DMPD for your outstanding efforts to reduce crime, and the fear of crime in Des Moines. Our policing model targeted the systemic issues that permitted and supported drug dealers, criminal gangs, pimps, prostitutes, slumlords and illegal motel operations."

Police reduced the rate of crime, lowered the number of calls for police services, removed criminal elements from the community, and restored peace to our victimized neighborhoods and schools.

"The Police Department kept its commitment to our community. We worked closely with the City Manager, City Council and Community to successfully implement creative solutions that reduce crime and fear of crime, and to increase revenue streams that support efforts of Des Moines Police Department."

"The continued success of the Police Department to make Des Moines a safer place to live, work and play will be dependent upon the continued support of the Police Department by both city council and the community."

Mayor Bob Sheckler said, "Chief Baker has reached out to this community in every way and established communication. He will be greatly missed as a true professional and remain my fine friend."

To retiring Chief Roger and Mrs. Shirley Baker who will continue to live here-- the people say thank you!

Today's Thought: Don't let yesterday use up too much of today. - Will Rogers