By Barbara Ellestad
In a solemn show of solidarity, Mesquite welcomed its newest Chief of Police as MaQuade Chesley was sworn into office at the city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Following a quick unanimous vote by the city councilors accepting the nomination of Chesley, City Clerk Tracy Beck administered the oath of office to Chesley. In the immediate background stood the entire Mesquite police department-police officers, animal control officers, dispatchers, administrative staff-with all their families watching from the audience.
“This is the first time in the history of the department that we’ve had the entire police department standing behind the Chief as he was sworn in,” Deputy Police Chief Scott Taylor said about the stirring event. “All of us support the new Chief and welcome his appointment.”
Chief Chesley thanked the city council for his appointment and said he was committed to continuing to make Mesquite the safest city in Nevada.
Mesquite Police Department’s newest Chief MaQuade Chesley leads the entire police force in a ceremony renewing their oath of office on Tuesday, Feb. 12 shortly after Chesley took his oath of office. Photo by Barbara Ellestad.
Immediately following Chesley taking his oath, he led all the officers in a renewal of their oath of office as a show of faith and dedication.
Chesley’s appointment follows his short interim period as chief following the January retirement of former Police Chief Troy Tanner.
Chesley joined the Mesquite Police Department in 2007 following a short stint with the St. George, UT, police department. He graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Spanish. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Criminal Justice through the University of Virginia and American Military University.
Chesley graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy 266 session. He holds an executive certificate with the Nevada Peace Officer Standards Training, the highest POST professional certificate awarded.
After joining the Mesquite police force, Chesley worked his way up through the ranks and served in a number of positions including rangemaster, police recruiter, SWAT officer, officer in charge, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, public information officer, patrol and investigations lieutenant, and police captain.
Chesley has served on the Nevada Child Assessment Center board of directors and is currently the vice president of the Nevada Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
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