Mesquite council ratifies termination of Police Chief McQuaid Chesley amid injunction, public dispute

The Mesquite City Council voted March 17 to ratify the termination of Police Chief McQuaid Chesley after public comment and council discussion that repeatedly referenced a court injunction and alleged violations of officers’ procedural rights.

The vote capped a session dominated by debate over whether the council should proceed while state and federal courts review claims that the city violated Nevada statutory protections for police. Councilwoman Gallo said she would not ratify the action and repeatedly cited the Police Officers’ Bill of Rights; other council members and dozens of public speakers urged either ratification or caution because of the pending litigation.

Mr. Branham, speaking at the council dais when the item was called, described the purpose of the agenda item as procedural. He told the council, “the purpose of agenda item 2.1 was to allow Mr. Joseph Chesley the opportunity to present anything to council he wanted them to” before they moved on to ratification.

Councilwoman Gallo directly…