Former Detective Chief Superintendent awarded King's Police Medal

Following the announcement of the King’s Birthday Honours, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy is delighted to confirm that retired Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Baker, who was the senior investigating officer on the investigation into the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel,  has been awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM).

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, said: "Mark is so deserving of this award and on behalf of all the officers and staff of Merseyside Police I would like to personally congratulate him on this fantastic honour.

"Mark’s passion for the job and his desire to do right by people shone out in everything he did, with both his colleagues and victims, and victim families who he supported and worked with. It is an absolute pleasure to see him recognised for the hard work and commitment that he has demonstrated, with humility and compassion, throughout his 30 years’ service, to the communities of Merseyside.”

Mark, joined the force in 1994, and his first posting was in Bromborough on the Wirral. 

Mark, who couldn’t believe it when he received the news that he was to be given the honour, said: “Policing is about people, and serving the community of Merseyside has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to work and meet some of the most inspirational people in the UK.

“To have been considered for the Kings Police Medal is the greatest honour of my career.

“I am extremely proud and humbled by the award. I think it reflects the excellent investigative work that takes place across Merseyside day in- day out. I want to thank my wife and family for their support. I also want to thank those responsible for nominating me I am extremely honoured.

“Policing is about people and serving the community of Merseyside has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to work and meet some of the most inspirational people in the UK.”

During his 30-year career Mark served as a Constable in the Operational Support Division and then the support group at Smithdown Lane. He was promoted to Sergeant in the force control which was based at Canning Place.

From there he went to the Force Intelligence Bureau where he served in every rank from Sergeant to Superintendent.

During his time there Mark says the role “gave me an excellent foundation in understanding serious and organised crime. This gave me a desire to support and drive Clear, Hold and Build to improve community life and focus on prevention. Policing is at its most effective when we work in partnership and problem solve by listening to those impacted”.

Mark was the first detective to lead a covert syndicate with no prior covert policing experience and admits it taught him “a valuable lesson in listening to your team, especially when they are highly trained and experienced”.

From the Force Intelligence Bureau Mark moved to his “dream role” as a Senior Investigating Officer in the Major Crime Unit. His first murder investigation was the contract killing of John Kinsella, who was killed in May 2017, which had links to the murder of Paul Massey in Manchester in 2015. Mark Fellows, the gunman in both murders, was sentenced to a whole life tariff.

During Covid Mark set up a specialist team, working with partner organisations, to ensure that those who died during Covid were treated with dignity and respect. A force analyst within the team was responsible for some excellent problem solving, which was adopted as national best practice in managing the accurate recording of mortuary capacity.

More recently, Mark was the initial SIO on the murder of Ashley Dale before handing over to DCI Cath Cummings when nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was tragically killed in her own home and Mark was appointed as the Senior Investigating Officer on that murder.

The investigation was fast paced and challenging, but Mark’s determination, and compassion never wavered. He led and managed his team throughout to ensure that Olivia’s family, who he was regularly in contact with, got justice for their “Liv”. In April 2023 Thomas Cashman was sentenced to life with a minimum tariff of 42-years for Olivia’s murder.