Many of the residents who packed Tuesday night’s Mesquite City Council meeting said they were “disappointed” by the police union’s complaints against the chief of their city’s police department.

While meeting attendees spilled out of the overflow rooms, a union leader told the mayor and council that the Mesquite Police Officers Association held a vote of “no confidence” in Chief MaQuade Chesley’s ability to run the Mesquite Police Department.

Andrew Regenbaum, who is executive director of the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, said a “strong majority” voted that they weren’t confident in Chesley’s leadership.

Nepotism and retaliatory behavior on the part of the chief, Regenbaum alleged, spurred the Mesquite association to hold the vote.

Regenbaum implored city leaders to act Tuesday night.

“I urge you to consider the significance of his actions and this vote of no confidence and take appropriate action,” Regenbaum said.

After Regenbaum spoke, dozens of residents lined up behind him to make their own comments. Many said they backed Chesley and expressed frustrations about what they said was the vagueness of Regenbaum’s statements.

One resident, Sue Hanks, said she “wanted the facts.”

“I want to know exactly what Chief Chesley has done to the detriment of our Mesquite community,” Hanks said.

Another, Jeffery Smith, who has worked as an officer with the department for years, said that the Mesquite Police Officers Association does not “speak for” him. For more than 30 minutes, residents came to the podium to share their disdain for the allegations. Several called it a “witch hunt.”

One called members of the MPOA “cry babies.”

“You better consider that he (Chesley) has done one heck of a job,” said Ron Richmond, a former Mesquite Police Department detective. “I started in 1996, and we never used to do this. (You) work and shut up. You’re not going to get everything you need.”

Chesley, who sat in the audience for the meeting, gave one of the final remarks of the forum. He said that his commitment to the department had never wavered. He also shared that since he became aware of the concerns that the union has with his leadership, he has created a five-year “plan for improvement.”

“The plan focuses on critical areas designed to enhance our internal operation and the service we provide to our community. Some of those areas are open communication and active listening,” Chesley said. “We want to make sure our officers are supported and that their wellness is maintained throughout their careers.”

Unlike one woman whom Mayor Allan Litman interrupted after exceeding the allotted three minutes, the council allowed Chesley’s remarks to go longer than the time limit. The crowd gave him a standing ovation after.

A handful of people dressed in MPOA T-shirts sat near the back of the chambers. One scoffed while Chesley spoke.

During their comments to the council, Mindy Hughes and Brent Horlacher, who had been sitting with the MPOA supporters, insisted that a thorough investigation be done. They said the police union should not be villainized.

“It is the union’s job to demand transparency and honesty from the government entity, as well as any citizen would expect,” Horlacher said. “That is the mission of MPOA. It’s not to hurt anyone. It’s not to talk bad about anyone. It’s not to ruin anybody’s life. It is, however, an essential function of the MPOA to seek truth and accountability from those elected and appointed by the city of Mesquite.”

In an interview after the meeting, Regenbaum told the Review-Journal that he could not discuss specific incidents but that Chesley had “weaponized internal affairs against people in the department who disagreed with him.” According to Regenbaum, the chief had also hired out-of-state friends and given them more favorable pay scales.

“It is not unusual that he (Chesley) would bring out all his supporters,” Regenbaum said. “What is important is that the MPOA rank and rile had the courage to do something of this magnitude.”

Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Very windy weather is the big weather story this morning in the Land of Enchantment, but the Four Corners communities, accompanied with some fast-moving passing clouds with the less pesky westerly winds than the Northeast Highlands, are still experiencing some snow, as with the westerly winds mixing the air around before two fronts move completely through, morning low temperatures are much higher compared to yesterday morning, mostly above freezing for most, starting off in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60s from northwest to southeast in lower elevation.

Afternoon temperatures will be mostly higher than yesterday in southern areas, except for the northern two-thirds of the region because of chilly rain activity moving southeast with mountain snow following suit while piling up. Cold front number one, the Pacific Front from the Northwest that’s responsible for the damaging down-sloping westerly winds causing power outages along the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, will pick up to the southeast, with the movement of the first front dropping afternoon temperatures with strong-enough winds for more-widespread blowing dust and some blowing snow in the higher terrain with the elevated fire risk, also because of the still low humidity south of the precipitation field. Then, cold front number two, a backdoor front from the northeast, the tail-end of the departing storm system moving eastward, will bring in a reinforcing shot of colder air, pushing the precipitation field even farther to the southeast in the south-central higher elevations especially.

As the Jet Stream to the north moves southward in the northern tier of the region, more clouds with chilly rain showers in the valley floors, as well as some heavier mountain snow, will ensue today before Thanksgiving, as colder air with even lower humidity will return will much lighter winds.

The No.1 Oregon Ducks take on rival Washington Huskies Saturday evening at Autzen Stadium. Ducks cornerback Jabbar Muhammad will be taking on his former team for the first time since transferring this past offseason. 

What did he have to say about the Oregon-Washington rivalry?

Jabbar Muhammad: “It’s a Really Fierce Rivalry”

Defensive back Jabbar Muhammad has been in his fair share of big rivalry games throughout his career. Prior to joining Oregon this season, Muhammad had spent three seasons at Oklahoma State and last season at Washington. He has played in the Bedlam rivalry game between Oklahoma-Oklahoma State and also was on the other side of the Washington-Oregon rivalry a season ago. 

He was asked about what it has been like on each side of the Washington-Oregon rivalry.

“It’s a really fierce rivalry. Obviously, the fans don’t really get along too well,” Muhammad said. “Me coming from the south, I didn’t know it was that crazy. I’m used to Texas-OU and Auburn-Bama. This is up there with those rivalries. Just to be a part of it is pretty cool.”

Muhammad recalled one of the craziest experiences he’s had in a rivalry game before, and cited “Bedlam” when he was with Oklahoma State.

“I remember getting egged on the bus,” Muhammad said. “Like I said, this (UW-UO rivalry) is up there with it.”

Even with the added juice of a rivalry game, the approach for the Ducks will be the same as any other game. 

“It’s just another game honestly. Ready to go out there and compete with my bros,” Muhammad said. “We just need to be us.”

Jabbar Muhammad Previews Washington Offense 

The Washington Huskies passing attack is led by quarterback Will Rogers and wide receivers Denzel Boston and Giles Jackson. 

This is what Jabbar Muhammad had to say about Denzel Boston.

“He’s (Boston) really good in intermediate game, the quick game, and the deep game,” Muhammad said. “He’s a really complete wide receiver so I’m looking forward to go against him Saturday,”

Here’s what he said about Giles Jackson. 

“Agile. Really quick in the slot. Really good with yards after the catch so going to have to do a good job trying to contain him,” Muhammad said. 

As for the quarterback position, the Huskies are led by Will Rogers. Backup Demond Williams Jr. is also utilized at times as a dual threat option.

“(Rogers) is a really good pocket passer. Doesn’t really do any running like No. 2 (Williams Jr.), but he has a complete game,” Muhammad said. “No. 2 (Williams Jr.) is more of a dual threat. Can kill you with his legs and throw the ball too. Going to have to do a good job trying to cage up those too.”

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