Mitch Baker announces County Sheriff candidacy
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Mitch Baker

Having been in law enforcement for two decades, Patrol Deputy Mitch Baker has experience in the field. Now he has announced his candidacy for the office of Henderson County Sheriff. The Republican primary is March, 2008.

"Everyone wants to feel safer," Baker said. "Being out on the street for 24 years, I know what the citizens need."

Baker said he announced his candidacy December 1.

A press release from Baker's campaign stated Baker has served citizens of Cedar Creek Lake and Henderson County for two decades, nine years of which he spent as a Patrol Deputy for Henderson County.

"Law enforcement has been a good job," Baker said. "The camaraderie and helping people that really need help is great."

In 1983 Baker entered law enforcement as a Reserve Officer for the Mabank Police Department and stepped up to full-time Patrol Officer a year later. During this time Baker studied at the East Texas Police Academy in Athens.

Mitch Baker moved on to the Kemp Police Department as a Patrol Officer in 1986 until his promotion to Patrol Sergeant in 1987. In 1989 Baker worked for Gun Barrel City Police Department as a Patrol Officer, then as an Investigator with the Texas Narcotics Control Program in 1990. Working in Henderson and Anderson Counties, Baker investigated drug crimes and trafficking for two years until he went back to patrol as a Patrol Sergeant in 1996.

During 1997 he became a Field Training Officer and handled the training of new officers until 1998, when he returned to the Henderson County Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Deputy. Now he works for Sheriff Ronny Brownlow as a Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor and a Patrol Deputy.

"I have my Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) Master Peace Officer License," Baker said. Baker also has the TCLEOSE Instructor License, Firearms Instructor License and Mental Health Officer License.

"I also have over 1,600 hours of TCLEOSE training and 24 years of on the street experience in law enforcement, " Baker said. "I've had supervision and leadership classes and experience, and have been a Field Training Officer since 1997."

Baker said he believed he should be elected Sheriff after Brownlow's retirement because he recognizes the need for the community to trust the police force.

"We need to get to where we're talking to the people," Baker said, "to where people feel comfortable talking to police officers again."

Baker said if he is elected, he will do his best for Henderson County citizens to make them safer.

"I believe this can be done by putting more Patrol Deputies on the street and by working together with all the other agencies in the county," Baker said. "I believe we need to fight crime on all levels; and with the citizens' help, and a good plan, I believe we could all be safer."

Baker also said he currently has two opponents in the race for Henderson County Sheriff: Ray Nutt and Tony Allison.

"They're both going to be good opponents," Baker said.

Baker also said he encourages everyone to vote in the March Republican Primary and the November 2008 General Election.

"People need to vote because the change starts with the people," Baker sa