Generally, each precinct has one member designated "Detective-Specialist" and they are also found in specialized units. These officers often possess a unique or esoteric skill the department needs, e.g., sharpshooter, scuba instructor, helicopter instructor, sketch artist, etc. Baines is the Fifth Precinct's sharpshooter. He uses a Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 69 sniper rifle, Police version (SSG P IV).
It is common knowledge in the Department that Detective-Investigators resent the Detective-Specialist rank, as these officers are not actually involved in any way in "detecting" crimes. The Detective-Specialist title was created by the previous mayor and has been controversial ever since. Detective-Specialists carry the same gold shield as Detective-Investigators, further adding to the resentment for the title.
Baines has no known middle name, and hates badgers so much that it is said he knows how to say "Badgers suck" in eight languages.
Baines first appeared in "A Killing Season"* in Woman's World magazine, September 1, 2008.
*Trivia note: the original title was "A Hot Summer's Death"