Peebles Chief of Police George Baker is pictured in his office on Simmons Ave. in Peebles. Baker encouraged the community to reach out or stop by and talk with him about any questions or concerns. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
George Baker officially became the new Chief of Police for the Village of Peebles on February 10, 2025, stepping into the role with over two decades of experience and a strong commitment to community-centered policing.
After serving in Mount Orab since 2000 — where he rose to the position of sergeant and effectively second-in-command — Baker was looking for a new challenge. “I don’t want to say I’m at the sunset, but certainly the fourth quarter of my career,” he said with a smile. “I was looking for an opportunity to try something different.”
He found that opportunity when he saw the posting for the Peebles Police Chief position on LinkedIn and decided to apply. Since being hired, Baker says he’s been met with a warm welcome from the community.
“It’s country out here — in a good way,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody. If you know who to ask, they can find out just about anything. That’s the beauty of small towns. It’s about building trust and relationships.”
Despite having worked in Mount Orab, which recently welcomed a marijuana dispensary, Baker said the challenges of policing are similar regardless of location. “Whether the county’s dry or flowing, people are going to do what they do. The core challenges — drugs, mental health, poverty — they’re the same in Peebles as they are anywhere in Ohio.”
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