Chuck Baker

After seven years leading the Cody Police Department and 43 years in law enforcement, Police Chief Chuck Baker will retire at the end of the month.

“It’s been a pleasure, it’s been an honor,” Baker told the Cody City Council Tuesday night, adding, “I continue to commit to you that I will 100% until that day that I walk out that door.”

The shakeup comes while the department is under scrutiny, largely stemming from the way an officer treated a 17-year-old during a January traffic stop. However, the chief’s retirement was in the works long before the controversy.

Baker called the timing “really unfortunate,” but said he’s been working with the city administrator on an exit strategy and succession plan for six months.

“My time is up, and I’m ready to retire,” he said.

Starting July 1, Baker will be replaced as chief by Lt. Jason Stafford, a 20-year veteran of the agency. Meanwhile, two other longtime Cody officers, Sgts. Beau Egger and Juston Wead, will move up to become lieutenants.

“The department is in good hands,” said Baker.

He came to the city in early 2016 from the Commerce City, Colorado, Police Department, being hired to replace longtime Chief Perry Rockvam.

Mayor Matt Hall said he’s appreciated Baker’s professionalism and the mentoring he’s provided to many officers. 

“We definitely made the right decision when you came on board,” Councilman Jerry Fritz told Baker, adding that he thinks Stafford “is going to do a great job, also.”

The department has been under pressure in recent weeks, with a group of residents pushing for the city to fire Officer Blake Stinson. At a city council meeting last month, a half-dozen people voiced complaints about Stinson’s behavior; the controversy intensified when a popular YouTube channel featured video footage of the officer arresting a Cody teen on Jan. 19.

After the teen’s mother filed a formal complaint, the city placed Stinson on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and he remained off duty on Tuesday. The review was set to be completed Wednesday, but City Administrator Barry Cook said they’ll next have an outside firm to review the findings of the internal report.

“The City of Cody is committed to conducting a thorough and fair review of all the facts obtained in this matter and ensuring the outcome reflects the best interests of our community,” Cook said.