Former Police Sergeant's Gross Misconduct Exposed Through Lewd Messages and Racist Comments

Former Merseyside Police Sergeant Craig Baker, 47, has been found to have engaged in gross misconduct on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2022. The misconduct hearings, which took place in 2022, 2024, and 2025, revealed a pattern of behavior that included sending and receiving lewd messages, making racist comments, and failing to challenge discriminatory language. The panel found that Baker's behavior was intentional, deliberate, and targeted towards women, and that the harm caused by his actions was significant, undermining public confidence in policing.

Key Takeaways:

• Craig Baker, a former Merseyside Police Sergeant, was found to have engaged in gross misconduct on 11 occasions between 2018 and 2022.
• The misconduct hearings revealed that Baker sent and received lewd messages, including a pornographic picture and requests for "nude" photos.
• Baker made racist comments to a mixed-race colleague, stating "Don't be putting me in your notebook for racism".
• The panel found that Baker failed to challenge discriminatory language on multiple occasions.
• The misconduct was so severe that Baker would have been dismissed if he were still in post.
• The harm caused by Baker's actions was significant, undermining public confidence in policing.
• The panel ruled that Baker's behavior was intentional, deliberate, and targeted towards women.
• Baker resigned from his position on June 30, 2025, and had "almost, if not entirely, disengaged with the disciplinary process".

Statistics:

• 11 instances of gross misconduct between 2018 and 2022.
• 5 instances of failing to show respect or courtesy for women in general, and certain women in particular.
• The panel found that the harm caused by Baker's actions was significant, with repeated behavior and sexual gratification intent contributing to the severity of the misconduct.

Sources:

• Merseyside Police
• The ECHO newsletter