The Mesquite City Council meeting on January 14, 2025, focused on significant personnel issues within the Mesquite Police Department, particularly the administrative leave of Police Chief Chesley and the termination of Officer Ryan Hughes.

During the meeting, Ron Shackleford, speaking on behalf of former Mayor Al Littman, defended Chief Chesley against recent allegations and media reports that he claimed misrepresented the situation. Shackleford emphasized that the chief had not engaged in any wrongdoing and criticized the media for spreading what he termed "fake news." He expressed confidence in the chief's integrity and the overall safety of Mesquite, asserting that the city has the best police chief he has known.

Brent Horlock, a member of the Mesquite Police Officers Association (MPOA), addressed the council regarding the termination of Officer Hughes, who had served for eight years. Horlock argued that Hughes was not fired for misconduct but rather due to an alleged failure to complete a background check, which he claimed was inaccurately stated in the termination letter. He asserted that the Nevada POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training) agency had confirmed that the issue was not a concern and that the responsibility for the background check lay with the hiring agency, not Hughes.

The City Attorney clarified that the decision to terminate Hughes was based on a failure to complete necessary background checks as required by Nevada law. He noted that the previous administration had not followed proper procedures when Hughes was hired, leading to the current situation. The attorney stated that if it was proven that Hughes had completed the required checks, he would be reinstated.

The meeting also featured public comments from community members expressing their support for Officer Hughes and questioning the fairness of the treatment he received compared to Chief Chesley. Some residents raised concerns about the chief's use of administrative leave and the perceived disparity in how officers and the chief were treated during investigations.

As the meeting concluded, the council faced calls for transparency and accountability regarding the police department's internal matters, highlighting ongoing tensions within the community regarding law enforcement practices and leadership. The discussions underscored the complexities of personnel management in public service and the impact of public perception on local governance.