‘Best of the Best’ Honored at MPD Banquet

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Mesquite Police Department held its 4th annual Awards Banquet to honor Mesquite’s Men in Blue and their families at a special event held in the Showroom of the Casablanca Resort on Monday evening, February 27.

It was a semi-formal affair with the officers in their dress blues and spouses in sequins and bling. The showroom was filled with handsomely dressed attendees including many city officials, the mayor and city council members and other city personnel. The stage was beautifully decorated by spouses of department members and the Casablanca stage crew.

Police Chief MaQuade Chesley spoke for a few moments about the demands being made of MPD employees over the past year.

“We have had the busiest year on record of the Mesquite Police Department on all levels,” Chesley said. “That includes dispatch, arrest, patrol, animal control. It has been a hard and busy year. Yet despite all the obstacles thrown at us at work and outside of work, I look at you and see a more refined and professional team of officers. I am looking at the best of the best.”

Chesley went on to express appreciation for the support of city officials, city council, and the wonderful people residing in the city that are always showing their support.

Chesley gave a special award of recognition to Mesquite Gaming for the company’s loyal and dedicated support to the MPD. Receiving the award was Mesquite Gaming Vice President of Security and Government Affairs Richard “Dick” Tomasso.

Tomasso asked to say a few words in response. He spoke about his background of 31 years as a special agent with the FBI. During that time, he travelled the country dealing with hundreds of police departments and thousands of officers, he said.

“Mesquite Gaming should be giving the brave men and women of the Mesquite Police Department the award, not the other way around,” Tomasso said. “Mesquite Police make this city safe; businesses here can thrive because it safe here. Without a doubt, in my experience, the men and women of the Mesquite Police are the finest I have ever been around.”

Tomasso also spoke highly of Chesley’s leadership of the department. “A community is only as strong as its law enforcement,” Tomasso said. “Think about the communities in this country that are fighting law enforcement and all the strife they are having.”
Tomasso received a long round of applause from the audience when he concluded.

When it came time to present the annual awards, Chesley explained that this annual banquet is held to celebrate the excellent work ethic exhibited in each division of MPD. Voting by peers in each division determines recipients of the Best of Year Award.

For the first time ever a “Best of the Badge” Award went to a police volunteer. This was presented to Volunteer Coordinator Jean Battaglia.
“Jean is the coordinator for all of the volunteers and she does a great job,” said Sergeant Wyatt Oliver.

The Employee of the Year awards went to Alexis Fawson for Dispatcher of the Year.

Correction Officer of the year was presented to Jaime Macias.

Shawna Bennet was recognized as Records Employee of the year.

Animal Control Officer of the Year went to Esteban Andrade.

Police Officer of the Year was presented to Andrew Castaneda.

Supervisor of the Year was awarded to Dispatch Supervisor Heather Law

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given each year to a retired MPD employee. This award went to Officer John Woods who retired in 2020 after serving 22 years with the city.
Woods hired on in 1998 as an animal control officer. He then moved to corrections and 2005 to the police Department.

Chesley said that Woods had done an outstanding job through the years becoming a detective and working undercover narcotics.
“Woods is noted for his calm and common-sense attitude under fire,” Chesley said. “ He was our go-to-guy, he always had an answer.”

Chestly recognized Woods’ wife and family as well. He reminded that spouses and family members also must sacrifice family time with their loved ones who serve on the police department. They also must suffer the stress of their dangerous jobs, he said.

The ceremony ended with a few words from Mesquite Mayor Al Litman. He reiterated how tough and stressful a policemen’s job is.
“If people could only know how hard our police department works!” Litman said. “Our department is the envy of all the cities in Nevada, because of how safe they keep our city.”