Mesa Police Department Gets New Chief from Tucson

City announces selection of new Police Chief 05-24-2017 at 11:14:17 AM Source: MesaNow The City of Mesa announced today that Tucson Assistant Police Chief Ramon Batista has been selected as the new Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department. Batista has been with the Tucson Police Department for 31 years and in the position of Assistant Police Chief since 2014.   BLOGGER NOTE:  TPD was one of 15 police departments selected as part of an initiative to help agencies with recommendations set by a White House Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and was working hard to integrate community policing efforts.  "The Chief of Police is one of the most important leadership positions in the City overseeing a department of nearly 1,200 sworn and civilian employees." Brady said. "The public safety professionals who participated in this recruitment process have exceptional credentials and I have the utmost respect for each one of them. The selection process included feedback provided by many community members, business and civic leaders as well as police officers over several months of interviews and forums. Assistant Chief Batista was chosen because I believe he is the best fit for our community and organization at this time." As an Assistant Chief, Ramon has been responsible for the Patrol Bureau and now currently oversees the Investigative Bureau, which is comprised of the following areas: crime lab, evidence processing center, identification center and all detectives. "We are appreciative of the candidates that dedicated their time to the process and all those that served on panels or forums and the public that took the time to come meet the candidates." Brady said. "I also want to extend a special thanks to Chief Michael Dvorak who has worked tirelessly over the last six months as interim police chief. He has done an incredible job and is to be commended." Batista has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University and a Master's Degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. The Mesa Police Department has approximately 1,200 employees, a budget of $175.9 million and is recognized nationally for its innovation and use of technology. The City will hold a news conference in June to officially introduce Batista to the community. Details are forthcoming Public Information and Communications Contact: Steve Wright Tel. 480-644-2069steven.wright@mesaaz.gov

Tucson assistant police chief named chief in Mesa Carmen Duarte Arizona Daily Star May 24, 2017 Updated 16 hrs ago Source: AZ Daily Star Tucson Police Assistant Chief Ramon Batista was selected police chief of Mesa, the city manager announced Wednesday, May 24. Batista, a native Tucsonan who grew up on the south side and was hired by TPD 31 years ago, will officially begin his new job in July, said Steven Wright, a Mesa spokesman. Batista's pay range will be between $143,000 to $192,545, Wright said. Batista said TPD was ahead of the curve when 21st Century Policing came of age, and it validated programs the department had in place and commanders are working to make better. Batista oversees the investigative services bureau, which includes detectives, the crime lab, the evidence section and the crime scene unit. When he was promoted bureau chief in 2014, he commanded the field services bureau with oversight of the city's 235 square miles, four patrol divisions and more than 600 personnel. He said working in Tucson's diverse community has prepared him to lead police in Mesa, which also has a nationally recognized department. Batista said, like TPD, the Mesa Police Department has its own academy and crime lab. "Mesa's elected officials are very supportive of the department and public safety. I want to take our engagement to new levels and have a dialogue and reach out to people who are not so believing or so trustful of police," said Batista