Mesquite Police Chief MaQuade Chesley began his law enforcement career in 2005 with the St. George, Utah Police Department. In 2007 he was hired as a police lateral with the Mesquite, Nevada Police Department.  Chief Chesley has assumed many leadership roles and positions during his service with the Mesquite Police Department which include: public information officer, rangemaster, police recruiter, SWAT officer, officer in charge, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, patrol and investigations lieutenant, and police captain.  

As a police captain, Chief Chesley managed many divisions within the Mesquite Police Department which include: patrol, general investigations, narcotics investigations, training, corrections, dispatch, animal control service, and the volunteer patrol division. Chief Chesley has served on the Nevada Child Assessment Center board of directors and is currently the vice president of the Nevada Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Association.  

Chief Chesley is a graduate of the 266th session of the FBI National Academy.  Chief Chesley possesses an executive certificate with the Nevada Peace Officer Standards Training, the highest POST professional certificate awarded. Chief Chesley is a graduate of Southern Utah University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Spanish. Chief Chesley is currently continuing his education towards a master’s degree in Criminal Justice through the University of Virginia and American Military University. 

In 2019 the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) selected Chief Chesley as a recipient of the prestigious 40 under 40 international award. “Hailing from 7 countries and serving in a broad range of roles, the IACP 40 under 40 awardees represent the top rising leaders from around the globe, exemplifying leadership, dedication, and service to their communities and the law enforcement profession.”

As the youngest police chief in Mesquite’s history he attributes his success to personal philosophies of altruism and people first mission second. Chief Chesley believes that officer safety is tied to wellness. As a police sergeant he established a department fitness center. As chief, he expanded the officer wellness program to include on-duty officer meditation and annual mindfulness training. Chief Chesley believes in community orientated policing and is committed to the safety of his officers and the community.

Deputy Chief Scott Taylor is a 25 year veteran of the Mesquite Police Department. Chief Taylor began his career in Mesquite as a Corrections Officer. He advanced through the ranks of Patrol Officer, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief in October 2014.

As Deputy Chief, Taylor provides leadership and oversight over the police captain, Captain Averett, and his police divisions.  Deputy Chief Taylor also manages the Records and Emergency Dispatch Divisions as well as the budgets for all police divisions.

Chief Taylor graduated from the 255th session of the FBI National Academy and possesses an Executive Certificate issued by the Nevada Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission. Chief Taylor is a graduate of Weber State University. Chief Taylor is an active member of the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association. Chief Taylor was appointed to represent the Association as a member of the Nevada Public Safety Communications Committee in August 2014. Chief Taylor was appointed as Co-Chair for this Committee in 2018 along with being appointed to Chair of the Nevada Public Safety Communications Grants Sub-Committee in 2018.

Captain Quinn Averett began his career in public safety in 2003 with the Iron County, Utah Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff.  In 2012, Captain Averett was hired onto Mesquite Police Department.  He counts himself very blessed to have been able to hold many responsibilities and leadership roles within law enforcement throughout his career.  Those responsibilities include; K9 handler with both a patrol and drug dog, airplane pilot conducting search and rescue operations, drug interdiction operations, and prisoner transports, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), SWAT Operator, SWAT Team Leader, Advanced Accident Investigator, Spillman Records Management Administrator, Public Information Officer (PIO),  Officer in Charge (OIC), Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and currently as Police Captain.  He also holds the Nevada POST Advanced and Supervisor certifications.

Captain Averett graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration with an emphasis in Emergency Management.  His current responsibilities within the Mesquite Police Department include overseeing the department’s patrol functions, investigative services, problem solving unit functions, corrections division, policy and procedures manual, office of public information, and the training division.  Captain Averett strongly believes in the value of Community Oriented Policing and fostering a strong relationship between all police employees and the community members as well as local businesses.