LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Mesquite’s former police chief is accused of committing acts of retaliation, humiliation, occasional career sabotage and threatening to cut the throat of department employees in a critical report released by the city.
The city commissioned four pages of the near 100-page “confidential report” ahead of a special meeting Monday to address the “character, misconduct, competence or health” of former Police Chief Maquade Chesley. The investigator wrote that the 3-month review conducted 40 interviews, extended over 100 hours, and reviewed 18 documents. The city manager removed Chesley on Jan. 22 following the investigation.
The report alleges Chesley retaliated against certain employees who spoke to the investigator through demotions, the stopping of credit card privileges, and the removal of office keys.
“Chief promised he would never do such a thing,” the investigator wrote in the report. “However, just two days later, on December 4, 2024 Chief demoted [name redacted],” the report said.
Allegations in the confidential report against Chesley continue, pointing to alleged retaliatory behavior culminating into threats of bodily harm.
“More concerning is I find credibility to [name redacted] allegation that chief threatened tot take each of them down, including a threat to cut [name redacted] throat, if he would lose his job as a result of this investigation,” according to the report.
“…including a threat to cut [name redacted] throat, if he would lose his job as a result of this investigation.”
In the report’s conclusion, the investigator recommends the city council and city manager to terminate Chesley—characterizing the chief’s behavior as dangerous.
“Chief’s retaliatory and vindictive behavior towards some he leads, and as described in this report, has become a cancer on the PD that will certainly metastasize to terminal stage if the City allows him to continue as its Chief of Police,” the report said.
The investigator wrote that the result of the former chief’s alleged actions led to an unhealthy loss of trust amongst many who served under his leadership.
“I concluded Chief sees through a myopic lens when it comes to those Officers who serve under his leadership… either you are with him or against him,” the investigator wrote in the report. “It seems clear to me that Chief’s default setting for those he considers ‘against him’ is to abuse the privilege of leadership with retaliation, humiliation, and occasional career sabotage.”
On Jan. 22, Mesquite City Manager Edward Dickie said in a statement Chesley was terminated, following the internal investigation report. Mesquite City Attorney Michael Branum denied an 8 News Now request to provide the report.
“The City considers investigations into personnel matters to be confidential and does not provide those records pursuant to public record requests.”
“The City considers investigations into personnel matters to be confidential and does not provide those records pursuant to public record requests,” Braum wrote in an email to 8 News Now.
In Nov. 2024, Chesley was the target of a police union no-confidence vote which was presented to the Mesquite City Council. Chesley had previously responded to an 8 News Now request for comment.
“I take concerns raised by my officers seriously and remain committed to open dialogue to address issues and maintain a productive working environment,” Chesley wrote in Nov. 2024.
Mesquite’s City Council released a notice of Monday’s closed-door meeting to Chesley and noted he was not required to attend, but that Chesley would have the chance to present written evidence, testimony, and witnesses relating to his character, alleged misconduct, professional competence, or physical or mental health.
A summary of the evidence supporting the former chief’s termination is expected to be provided in advance of the hearing.
