New Mesquite Police Chief Sworn In

Moapa Valley Progress

The swearing in of Interim Police Chief MaQuade Chesley as the city’s new permanent chief of police dominated the Mesquite City Council regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12. The council chamber was crowded to overflowing with police officers, families, friends and residents seeking to congratulate their new police chief.

City Manager Andy Barton recommended to the council that a motion be made to formally appoint Chesley. Councilmen Rapson and Gault spoke of Chesley’s excellent background following which a motion was made by Councilwoman Ramaker which passed unanimously. The new chief was then sworn in by City Clerk Tracy Beck. Chesley then presided as all police officers present were sworn in anew.

Chesley came to the Mesquite Police Department in June 2007 as a police officer. He has risen through the ranks of officer, sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, captain, interim police chief and finally to chief of police.

Prior to coming to Mesquite Chesley was a police officer with the St. George, Utah Police Department.

Over the years Chesley has earned a number of important academic degrees including a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Southern Utah University, a Master of Criminal Justice degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Criminal Justice degree from American Military University. He also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy where he was one of only three out of 220 graduates who completed the Graduate Certificate curriculum. Chesley is bilingual speaking English and Spanish.

In his comments following his swearing-in, Chesley reaffirmed his commitment to the city, the police department and its officers. He also confirmed his determination to assure that Mesquite remain the “safest city in Nevada”.

In other council action City Manager Barton noted that he will hold a Public Community Forum on Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. at the Fine Arts Gallery at 15 W. Mesquite Blvd.

Clark County School District Associate Superintendent Grant Hanevold provided a report to the council on the reorganization of the administrative structure of the school district and explained concerns about the school funding formula which governs funding for all Nevada schools which has not been revised since it was created in 1967.

Hanevold stated the school district’s hope that the legislature will seek to address and resolve some of the inequities inherent in the current funding formula.