Victim 'stable' in hospital (From Gazette Series)

Victim 'stable' in hospital

FORMER Deputy Chief Constable of the Gloucestershire Constabulary has been mentioned in the Queen's New Years Honours list.

Martin Baker, 49, has been awarded with the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished police service.

Mr Baker originally from Guildford in Surrey said he was overwhelmed at the award.

He said: "I could not be more delighted. I share this great honour with all of the talented and committed people with whom I have had the privilege of serving and also with my wife and family, who always provide such incredible support."

In the same week Mr Baker received his New Years Honours list mention he achieved a promotion and left Gloucestershire to become Chief Constable of Dorset Police.

Mr Baker has had a long and varied career serving in the Anti-Terrorist Branch at New Scotland Yard involving him with incidents such as the storming of the Iranian Embassy and the murder of Kenneth Howarth.

In 1997 Mr Baker transferred on promotion to Gwent Police as Superintendent in charge of Corporate Services and stayed in South Wales until 2001 when he was appointed Assistant Chief Constable (Operations) for the Gloucestershire Constabulary.

During his time with the Gloucestershire Constabulary Mr Baker helped the county stage two Royal International Air Tattoos at RAF Fairford), the policing of two Cheltenham Gold Cup race meetings and two visits by Her Majesty the Queen. Mr Baker also commanded the policing operation at RAF Fairford during the activation of the base for military operations during the Iraq war.

Mr Baker says he now looks forward to working with his colleagues in Dorset.

He said: "Communities in Dorset will always need and deserve excellent policing and the highest quality service, so 2006 is an important time for us, not only to reflect on our past, but also to focus on how we will make Dorset even safer, both now and in the future."

Mr Baker lives with his wife Trudi and their three school-aged daughters.