CHICAGO — The Chicago police officer who accidentally shot and killed his partner, Officer Krystal Rivera, during a raid earlier this month had a history of misconduct, including at least 13 complaints, three suspensions, and multiple investigations in his short tenure with the department.
Officer Carlos A. Baker, who joined the force in December 2021, fatally shot Rivera during a chaotic encounter in a South Side apartment on June 5, while confronting two armed suspects. One of the men reportedly aimed an AR-style pistol at Baker, prompting him to return fire — inadvertently striking Rivera in the back.
Disciplinary Record Raises Alarms
Despite being relatively new, Baker had racked up a troubling record:
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5 misconduct complaints during his probationary period
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3 suspensions and 2 reprimands
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A noted failure to arrest a home invader on his first patrol shift
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An incident where he allegedly flashed a gun at a woman he met online
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Disciplinary action for a wrongful search and arrest, with failure to file paperwork
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Two preventable car accidents, both leading to punishment
Baker was also featured in multiple viral TikTok videos while on duty, including one filmed at the Sueños Music Festival. Although those videos earned public attention, they did not result in formal discipline.
Assigned to Tactical Team Despite Record
Even with a growing list of complaints, Baker was placed on the Gresham District tactical team, responsible for aggressive street-level policing in areas like Chatham and Englewood.
CPD has not explained why Baker was assigned to this elite team, nor has it commented on how disciplinary issues factored into staffing decisions.
Department records show that only 5% of CPD officers had six or more misconduct complaints between 2018 and 2023 — putting Baker in a rare and troubling category.
Krystal Rivera: Respected Officer, Caught in Chaos
Officer Krystal Rivera, hired 10 months before Baker, had earned praise for her dedication and professionalism. On the night of her death, she had already confiscated two illegal firearms.
Rivera also played a key role in investigating a stolen Glock handgun during a 2023 police gun buyback event. Records show she had gone to great lengths to search for the missing weapon, which was later found in the hands of a 16-year-old.
Rivera was not accused of wrongdoing in the case and had spoken on record about her efforts to locate the missing gun — even checking coworkers’ bags.
She was remembered by CPD officials as “a true leader” and “a hard charger.”
“She understood what it took to go out and keep people safe,” said Police Supt. Larry Snelling. “The example she set was for the entire world.”
Department Under Scrutiny
The tragic shooting and Rivera’s death have renewed scrutiny on how CPD assigns and monitors tactical team officers. Some rank-and-file officers have criticized department leadership for failing to properly vet or discipline high-risk personnel like Baker.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is now reviewing the shooting. CPD has declined to release further records related to Baker, citing a court order.
Should CPD reform how it evaluates officer misconduct and tactical assignments? Share your thoughts and join the public safety conversation at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
