Katherine Baker, Police Commander
City of Miami Police Department
I was born and raised in (Scott Projects) Miami/Miami-Dade County, Florida, one of eleven children (7 sisters, 3 brothers). I have two children, and two grandchildren. As a child, I attended church every Sunday and Vacation Bible School for two weeks during the summer, every year. I attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School for three years and ultimately graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School. I obtained an Associate Degree with Honors, from Miami Dade North Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree Magna Cum Laude, from HBCU Florida Memorial University, and a Master’s Degree with Honors, from Barry University. In addition, I received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army Reserves. I possess a vast amount of Law Enforcement specialty trainings at all levels from Basic to Managerial.
I possess a vast amount of experience through the ranks, within the Miami Police Department. I have been a member of the City of Miami Police Department since May 1994, starting as a Public Service Aide and becoming a sworn Law Enforcement Officer in 1997. During my tenure at the rank of Police Officer (1997-2008), I was a Field Training Officer, a Detective in the Special Victims Unit, and an undercover narcotics and vice Officer in the Special Investigations Section. Also, as an Officer, I joined the Traffic Enforcement Unit (Motors) where I became the City of Miami Police Department’s first black female Motor Officer. I was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant in 2008. During my tenure as a Sergeant (2008-2016) I supervised the undercover narcotics/vice Crime Suppression Unit and was assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit where I worked both Internal Investigations and Supervised proactive Public Corruption Detectives. I was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant in 2016. During my tenure as a Lieutenant (2016-2022), I was the Unit Commander of the General Investigations Unit (GIU) which investigates all Property Crimes. I was also the Unit Commander of the Special Victims Unit (SVU). In addition, I also became the Unit Commander in the Internal Affairs Section, overseeing Internal Investigations (Sergeants/Detective). I was promoted to the rank of Police Commander in November of 2022 which is where I currently oversee Overtown. My mission, which is in sync with the Miami Police Department’s mission, is to reduce crime, strengthen Police/Community Relations, and ensure the physical/mental well-being of all police personnel working within the community. My goal is to enhance the Quality of Life for all residents, visitors, and merchants within the Overtown neighborhood.
My professional and personal organizations/affiliates: Zeta Phi Beta Sororoity Incorporated, Beta Tau Zeta Chapter; Order of the Eastern Stars (OES), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Miami Communicty Police Benevolent Association (MCPBA), National Organization of Black Law Executives (NOBLE) etc.
My hobbies and favorite pastimes include, but are not limited to, volleyball, mentoring, community engagement, and family gatherings.
Cmdr. Katherine D. Baker
“To whom much is given, much is required!”
