OPEN FORUM: Statement about MPD Chief rumors

Editor’s Note: The following was taken from a formal statement made by Councilman Wes Boger in the last meeting of the Mesquite City Council. Since that meeting, Mr. Boger has submitted it as an OpEd piece with a request that it be published in The Progress.

By WES BOGER

Mesquite City Councilman

I would like to address concerns I have heard from citizens regarding our police chief.

When a local website with a vendetta against our police department, posted a hit piece based on rumors and falsehoods against our Police Chief, some people wondered why the Chief was not put on Administrative Leave. That would be the normal course of action if there was any evidence of wrongdoing.

The fact is we didn’t have ANY evidence, not even a first hand account of wrongdoing. The Attorney General’s office was contacted, based on a second hand rumor. I have in my hand a letter from the AG’s office. It basically states, they looked into it, and there is nothing there. No evidence. Nothing but a rumor. In this letter addressed to our former City Manager, the AG’s office even states something to the effect of “if you become aware of any actual, direct evidence, let us know.”
CASE CLOSED.

When I read that hit piece on the blog, I knew there was nothing to it. But as a City Councilor, I have to perform due diligence, just as everyone up here has to. One of the many salacious accusations in the hit piece was:

“It’s also alleged by multiple sources to the MCJ that Chesley, when he was a captain prior to his appointment as Chief, accompanied several then-teenage girls and several then-high school football players to the private gymnasium located within the Mesquite Police Department headquarters building on Hardy Way for ‘work-outs.’….

This is an old rumor. I heard it years ago. Had there been anything to this, 5 or 6 years ago when it happened, it would have been investigated by the former Police Chief and/or former City Attorney. They would have spoken to the individuals involved as part of the investigation.

After the hit piece was posted, 2 of the only people who could corroborate this disgusting allegation were enraged and felt victimized. By placing “Work outs” in quotations, the article implies there was more to it.

They spoke at public comment at the April 27 City Council Meeting.

The ONLY football player (not “players” as posted in the blog) stated his mother, who was employed at MPD, gave him the code to the gym at PD. Hogan Fowls stated it was not uncommon for immediate family members to use the gym. He stated then-Captain Chesley offered to help him with his lifts. Chesley was like a big brother and mentored Mr Fowls. He mentions HE – not Chesley – brought his girlfriend to the gym less than five times.

This was corroborated by another who spoke at public comment. She stated Mr Fowls brought her and her sister to the gym on one occasion – not Capt Chesley.
END OF STORY.

Members of the Mesquite Police Officers’ Association are being targeted for standing up in the last election. Opponents have gone after the School Resource Officer. They’ve gone after the officers involved with subduing a violent man in the middle of traffic on Sandhill Blvd. They’ve made wild accusations and spread rumors about Sgt Oliver and several others. They’ve even gone after my family and I with ugly false rumors because I support our officers. (By the way, “support” does not mean “protect.” I support our law enforcement officers unless and until I know otherwise.) But none of these attacks are as ugly or as devastating as what MaQuade Chesley has gone through. Vicious rumors over the last 6 years are now in hyperdrive. Attack blog posts, bad actors on social media spreading misinformation that even they can’t believe is true. Terrorizing Mr Chesley, his wife, and kids, at home. These are GREAT people. We are LUCKY to have them. The rank and file officers overwhelmingly agree.

There is a huge difference between public discourse, and bullying or terrorizing families.
The kids – they see it. They feel it.

The election was over 6 months ago. When does this stop? At what point do people take a look in the mirror, and ask themselves if it’s worth going after families because you don’t like a letter? Or results of an election?

It seems like Mesquite has a long history of politics being a blood sport. I don’t know why that is. The worst I can remember is the case of Councilwoman Fairchild and her husband. People have literally died over Mesquite politics.

And yet, here we are.

We are better than this.