Chief Baca has committed his entire professional life to practicing and enforcing the law. Chief Baca graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in pre-law/political science. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver and was admitted to the Colorado State Bar as a practicing attorney. Chief Baca is admitted to practice law in all Colorado courts, the United States District Court and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Additionally, he is a graduate of the 216th Session of the FBI National Academy.Chief Baca served 15 years with the Denver Police Department in various positions ultimately attaining the rank of lieutenant. Chief Baca left law enforcement for about eight years to practice law. During his hiatus from law enforcement, Chief Baca continued to follow his true calling and began developing law enforcement training programs and materials.
Chief Baca’s law enforcement and legal experience eventually led to his selection as the first director of the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Academy in Douglas County. Two years later, he was recruited by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to manage its training academy and support service programs. While at Jefferson County, he served as the captain of the Support Services Division, commander of the Patrol Division and served his last four years as the division Chief of the Criminal Investigations Division.
For the last 15 years, Chief Baca has served as an adjunct instructor at Metropolitan State College of Denver School of Professional Studies where he teaches constitutional law, civil law, juvenile law, criminal law, criminal procedure and courtroom evidence and procedure.
Since 2001, Chief Baca has served as an assessor and team leader for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
Commerce City is privileged to have such an able and dedicated officer leading Commerce City’s police force.
