COLEMAN – The Coleman City Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of new Police Chief Marty O. Baker at a council meeting held on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

City Manager Diana Lopez advised the Council that after a long search for a Chief of Police for the Coleman Police Department, she was pleased to announce that Marty O. Baker was selected out of 18 applicants who submitted for the position.

She stated to Council: “The process of recruiting an appointed Police Chief for Coleman, Texas was a task that myself, with support from Council and staff, held to the highest degree of responsibility. Few city government relationships are more important than the partnership between the city manager and police chief. It is a relationship that sets the tone and serves as a powerful symbol of staff alignment and professionalism. Therefore, the city manager-police chief team must be at its best. As we have spent the last several months searching for the right candidate, there was one aspect that was proving difficult to find in a chief but was especially important to our Officers, the Council, and the Community – A chief who would immediately get to work and would be committed to Coleman. I was holding out for the right candidate, and I am confident I have found him.”

Baker, a Coleman native who began his career in law enforcement 39 years ago, holds a Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He currently serves as a Special Ranger for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He has worked for the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, and Office of the Inspector General. Prior to working for State agencies, he served 22 years as a Narcotics Investigator for the West Central Texas Inter-Local Crime Task Force based in Abilene having been appointed by the Coleman County Sheriff’s Office and the Taylor County District Attorney’s Office. He is a graduate of Coleman High School and began his law enforcement career as a Patrol Officer for the City of Coleman Police Department in 1982.

Chief Baker will begin his employment with the City on July 1st. A community welcoming will be held for Chief Baker in the near future.