LIMA, Ohio — The chief of police in Lima will retire at the end of this week.
The city of Lima has announced that Chief Jim Baker will retire on June 27 after 33 years with the police department. Baker started his career in 1992 and steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a detective in 1998, then sergeant, lieutenant, and major in 2013. He was appointed chief in July 2024. Following his retirement, Major Zac Leland will act as interim chief until Major Ron Holman or Major Curt Hile is chosen as the next police chief.
Lima Police Chief James Baker to Retire After 33 Years of Distinguished Service
LIMA, OHIO — The City of Lima has announced the retirement of Police Chief James Baker, who will end his distinguished career with the Lima Police Department on Friday, June 27, 2025. Chief Baker was sworn in as Chief on July 17, 2024, after more than 30 years of dedicated public service.
Chief Baker started his career with the Lima Police Department on May 18, 1992. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, earning each promotion through competitive civil service exams. He began as a Detective in 1998, was promoted to Sergeant in 2001, Lieutenant in 2006, and Major in 2013, before being appointed Chief of Police in July 2024.
Throughout his career, Chief Baker held a variety of critical positions within the department. In 1995, he was chosen to teach a gang resistance program in Lima’s schools, as well as a departmental firearms course. He served as a Lieutenant in the Investigative Services Division for over seven years. He was instrumental in expanding the department’s capabilities in digital investigations, launching computer forensic training in 1999 and establishing Lima’s first computer forensics lab. He went on to become certified by the American Academy of Applied Forensics and to supervise computer forensic labs.
Chief Baker is also a master interrogator certified by the Foster Kinesics Interview School and holds truth verification techniques certifications from the International Association of Voice Stress Analysts. He also received training from the North Coast Polytechnic Institute in legal updates, trauma-informed policing, procedural justice, and police legitimacy.
Chief Baker, a 2007 graduate of Northwestern University Traffic Institute’s School of Police Staff and Command, received training to lead at the highest levels of law enforcement. He was also a member of the Lima Police Department’s SWAT team and received numerous awards for his professionalism and bravery throughout his career. His honors include Distinguished Achievement certificates (1998), a Merit Award (1999), and VFW Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (2001).
“Chief Baker has been a pillar of leadership, innovation, and integrity within the Lima Police Department,” Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith stated. “His commitment to community safety, officer training, and investigative excellence will leave a lasting legacy.”
To ensure leadership continuity, Major Zac Leland will take over as Interim Chief of Police on June 28.
The Lima Civil Service Board will hold a competitive promotional assessment exam for the position of Police Chief on August 9, 2025. Eligible candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
Completing secondary education
Fifteen (15) years of service with the Lima Police Department, including:
Five years as a patrolman. Two years as a sergeant. Two (2) years as a Lieutenant; Twelve (12) months as a Major.
Possession of an Ohio Peace Officer Certificate Have a valid Ohio driver’s license.
Successful passing of the Civil Service Promotional Examination
