Revolt In The Ranks: Mesa PD Union + Power Politics

Make no mistake about it: When it comes to loyalties, the Mesa Police Union exercises a powerful influence when the Mesa City Council needs their members to sway some swing-votes. Together with the well-unionized Mesa Fire/Medical Department, and apart from any faith-based blocs of voters, these two groups probably exercise the most influence over City Hall. Their loyalty and confidence in city officials (salaried, appointed, or elected) frequently determines the outcomes of elections.

The City of Mesa is in the national news now over a 95% vote of no confidence in the current Mesa PD Chief

Union Casts No-Confidence Vote Against

Mesa Police Chief

The union for police employees in Mesa has cast an overwhelming no-confidence vote against Chief Ramon Batista, a decision the group's president said was in part for condemning officers investigated on excessive-force allegations

By JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — The union for police employees in Mesa has cast an overwhelming no-confidence vote against Chief Ramon Batista, a decision the group's president said was for condemning officers investigated on excessive-force allegations, being unwilling to listen to officers and driving down morale.

The vote unveiled Wednesday isn't binding, but union president Nate Gafvert said his group has $30,000 set aside to launch a public relations campaign to get local residents to pressure City Council members to remove Batista . . .

The vote unveiled Wednesday isn't binding, but union president Nate Gafvert said his group has $30,000 set aside to launch a public relations campaign to get local residents to pressure City Council members to remove Batista. . .
The City Council said in a statement that it's committed to improving relations within the police department. . . The AP requested an interview with Vice Mayor Mark Freeman, who serves on the City Council, but Mesa spokesman Randy Policar said council members were making no further statements Wednesday about the union's no-confidence vote. . .
(FILE - This June 8, 2018 file photo shows Ramon Batista, the police chief of Mesa, Ariz. The union representing police employees in Mesa has cast an overwhelming no-confidence vote against Batista for what the union's president said was the chief's condemnation of officers investigated on excessive-force allegations and unwillingness to listen to officers. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
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From : Yahoo News

Union casts a no confidence vote against Mesa police chief

KNXV - Phoenix Scripps•June 5, 2019

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BLOGGER NOTES: The department’s use of force in other recent episodes has also been scrutinized. It came under fierce criticism after an officer shot and killed an unarmed man in a hotel in 2016 who was sobbing and pleading for his life. The officer was acquitted in December 2017 of murder and manslaughter charges.

Daniel Shaver's widow and family now have a pending claim against the City of Mesa for the killing and excessive use-of-force in a reported amount of over $100M