Dave Baker: Leadership Still Matters

Photo courtesy of the City of Alexandria "Dave Baker was an innovative policeman, far-seeing in management style as police chief and always on the hunt for new and effective ideas to control crime," writes Covert. "He aimed high to eliminate crime and criminals on city streets. Under his leadership, Alexandria's police were mighty effective."

Dave Baker made Alexandria a safer city.

He was an innovative policeman, far-seeing in management style as police chief and always on the hunt for new and effective ideas to control crime He aimed high to eliminate crime and criminals on city streets. Under his leadership, Alexandria's police were mighty effective.

Of course, police can't stop crime. No one expects that but police can control it with effective methods.

I found Baker to be an articulate chief. I was glad when he started wearing a single silver star as symbol of his rank some months ago. I think it matched his stylish silvery mane. He is an elegant dresser in uniform or civilian togs. He looks like the man-in-command and he cared for the rank-and-file. Everybody knows this.

Today, most everybody knows David P. Baker has retired as Alexandria's police chief.
 
Unfortunately, and undexpectedly for the citizens, himself and his family he was charged with driving under the influence. Arlington police said he had had a few too many beers on a late Saturday night (July 25), after a week of vacationing with his family by the seaside.

Big news, quite naturally. Certainly a career-ending mistake. I call it unfortunate. Chief Baker established a truly 40-year career in law enforcement. He grew to distinguished stature which he's had to relinquish. I know the law is for all of us. I had that heartsickening feeling when I got an early morning call last week.

Dave Baker spent two decades with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. That was no easy task. He grew as a leader, handling every sort of dangerous crime, stared down some mighty mean people and never shot in self-defense. The next 20 years was in Alexandria, most of them as deputy chief before his elevation three years ago. Baker never let anger or revenge get in his way of making decisions. He told me that. That was obvious.

I read the anonymous comments by people on blogs of local media. They weren't very nice. I think citizen-writers who won't sign their real names to critical opinions are cowards. I also don't think news sources ought to permit anonymous writers to contribute. It might not be pleasing, but if you have the courage of your convictions, I say stand up and be counted, no mealy-mouthing or hiding. There are lots of those people around though. From my years of journalistic experience, anonymous is a popular byline.

Baker has been beaten up pretty well over the past few days. I don't think this takes away from a truly outstanding career, both in Washington and Alexandria.
 
He took strong stands to support of his officers, he established the city's strategic policing program, he transferred officers, uniformed and plain clothes, who were not effective. He was a good representative for the police and the city. He is a good speaker, a fine in Alexandria but his professionalism and leadership still matters.
 
There are jurisdictions around the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland and other locales who can certainly use his services. There are federal agencies that should take advantage of Dave Baker's talents. I don't suspect he'll be idle too long.
 
That would be a crime.
 
Harry Covert is a veteran journalist, broadcast and print, who writes from Alexandria.