The City of Mesa announced this morning that Assistant Chief Ken Cost will serve as interim Police Chief effective immediately following the resignation of former Mesa Police Chief Ramon Batista.
"Appointing Assistant Chief Cost to this position was an easy decision based on his extensive law enforcement experience, knowledge of, and relationships with, the community and tenure with Mesa Police." City Manager Chris Brady said. "I am fully confident in his ability to lead this department professionally and with the utmost integrity, transparency, and commitment."
Assistant Chief Cost has been with the Mesa Police Department for nearly 25 years starting his career in 1995. He has served in several areas of the department and in every rank leading up to assistant chief. Some of these assignments included Special Investigations-Gang Unit, Community Action Team, Street Crimes, Violent Offender-US Marshal's Task Force and Criminal Investigations (Homicide, Financial Crimes, and Recovered Property). As a Commander his assignments included Fiesta Patrol, Human Resources and Training. He was promoted to Assistant Chief in March 2018 heading up the Patrol Operations Bureau.
"I am honored to be asked to serve in this position and especially to continue to work in and for this community I love." Interim Police Chief Ken Cost said. "I am also humbled to lead, and to work side by side with, the amazing men and women of the Mesa Police Department in protecting and serving the residents of Mesa."
Interim Chief Cost holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from California State University at Fullerton and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy for Police Executives. He will also be completing his master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration early next year. He is very active in the community and volunteers numerous hours throughout the year coaching and mentoring youth.
Public Information and Communications
Contact: Steve Wright
Tel. 480-644-2069
steven.wright@mesaaz.gov