Superintendent Carl R. Baker

Prior to employment with the Virginia State Police, Colonel Carl Baker moved through the ranks with the New York State Police, retiring with the rank of Deputy Superintendent and chief administrative officer.

Graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice. Graduate of Siena College with a Bachelor of Science in finance. Awarded a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, State University of New York, Nelson A. Rockefeller Graduate School of Public Affairs in 1977.

While a member of the New York State Police, Baker was a primary instructor at the New York State Police Academy, an adjunct professor at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, and an adjunct professor at the graduate level at the State University of New York.

Baker served in the United States Army active and as a member of the reserves as a company commander in the Corps of Engineers and Military Police. Among several considered by a selection panel, he was employed by the Virginia State Police in April 1990 as Director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Appointed Superintendent of the Virginia State Police by Governor L. Douglas Wilder September 1, 1992 to succeed Colonel W. F. Corvello who retired.

Notable changes occurring during his tenure:

• The Department ceased accepting applications on a continuous basis for a specific recruitment period.
• The HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Thief) program was established.
• The violent crime investigative unit was created.
• Three new evidence vans were purchased.
• Public hearings were held throughout the State to receive public input.
• A variety of new anticrime partnerships with local law enforcement began.
• All Division headquarters were furnished with TDD devices for the hearing impaired.
• Basic training was increased to 26 weeks.
• The internal Affairs unit was reorganized.
• Two new twin engine Eurocopter helicopters were purchased for the Med-Flight operation.
• #77 call phone service implemented in Division 7.
• AFIS expanded to local departments in several locations.
• The title Weight Enforcement Officer changed to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer.
• The Sig 9mm replaced the S&W 10 MM sidearm.
• A sex offender registry was established.

Following are notable affiliations during Baker’s tenure:

• In 1992, appointed by Governor Douglas Wilder to the Governor’s Task Force on Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault on College Campuses.
• Designated a member of the Governor’s Commission on Violent Crime in 1992.
• In 1992, appointed by the General Assembly to the Virginia Forensic Advisory Board.
• Became a member of the IACP Highway Safety Committee in 1992.
• In 1993, selected to serve on the Board of Directors, National Commission Against Drunk Driving.
• In 1993, became a member of the National Institute of Justice Law Enforcement and Corrections.
• Technology Advisory Board, serving 7 years as Chairman.
• In 1994, Baker completed the National Executive Institute, FBI Academy.

Baker left the Department in April 1994 to accept an appointment as Deputy Secretary of Public Safety for the State of Virginia. He retired from the Public Safety post in 1996 and was appointed Chief of Police, Chesterfield County. He retired as Chief of Police, Chesterfield County July 1, 2007. Following retirement, Baker established a consulting firm and became a partner with Decide Smart, LLC based in Richmond, Virginia.

Becoming fully retired in 2014, Baker and his wife reside in Moneta at Smith Mountain Lake.