Lincoln honors police community resource specialist for gang-prevention work

The Lincoln City Council presented the Mayor—s Award of Excellence on April 14 to Matt Baker, a community resource specialist with the Lincoln Police Department, for his decade-long work leading Operation Tipping Point, a program partnering LPD with Lincoln Public Schools to prevent gang involvement and mentor at-risk youth.

The award citation said Baker has mentored more than 100 students and played a lead role last year creating and helping hire and train a new position to expand the program. Daryl King, the new hire, was in the council chamber and nominated Baker for the award; Sergeant Jeff Sorensen and King were listed in the nomination materials as endorsers.

Baker told the council he has followed some students from elementary school through high school and said the program—s flexibility to meet youth where they are is a key to its success. "We do things completely different, and I think that's why it works," he said, adding that last year the students he worked with had a 20-for-20 graduation record.

A police official in the chamber described LPD—s long-standing community-based approach to policing and praised Baker—s willingness to work evenings and weekends to support youth and the Native American community; Baker is Lakota and said he assists tribes, helps manage a native crisis line and creates documentaries about Native life.

The recognition was ceremonial; no formal council action was required. Council Chair Sondra Washington and other members congratulated Baker and noted the program is funded and resourced through the city—s joint budget committee and partnerships with schools.

The award highlights an ongoing city-supported mentoring and prevention effort rather than a new policy decision; council members said they hope to continue expanding the program with future partnerships.

The council moved on to its regular agenda after the presentation.