After three decades with the Mesa Police Department, Chief Kenneth Cost is stepping down from his post. Effective June 30, his retirement will mark an end to what has been a transformative period for Mesa's law enforcement. With a tenure beginning in 2019, Chief Cost's leadership was hallmarked by a series of strategic and technological advances within the department, striving for a reduction in violent crimes among improved community relations.
Having been the department's top official since 2019, Chief Cost ushered in an era where, seeing dramatic reductions in violent crime, the City of Mesa declared the department a beacon of modern law enforcement. Transforming the department included the implementation of several innovative initiatives that, according to Mesa City Manager Chris Brady, positioned Mesa as the second safest major city in the United States, with populations north of half a million. City of Mesa reports that Chief Cost's tenure saw the development of the SPARC Youth Sports Program, upscaling training, and the integration of cutting-edge resources like the Real-Time Crime Center.
"It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as Mesas Police Chief," Chief Cost told City of Mesa in a heartfelt statement. He added that the collaborative efforts during his leadership have forged a stronger unit that puts a premium on "community engagement, officer wellness, and innovative approaches to public safety." Reflective of such sentiments, significant achievements included the hiring of over 300 new officers and the addition of a fifth police station that alongside, starting renovations to the headquarters of Mesa police.
While celebrating the accomplishments achieved under Chief Cost, the trust between the police and the community was fortified as Mayor Mark Freeman outlined. In statements captured by City of Mesa, Mayor Freeman praised Chief Cost for his "exceptional service and unwavering commitment to our community," under which Mesa blossomed into "one of the safest cities in America." It's a legacy that includes the adoption of practices such as the police jiu-jitsu program, which conveys an improvement in officer and public safety while curtailing use-of-force incidents in the community.
Chief Cost's educational background features a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's from Xavier University. His career before joining Mesa Police Department saw him as a sworn investigator in East Los Angeles with the State of California. Mesa's incoming City Manager Scott Butler is tasked with appointing Mesa's new police chief in June, as City of Mesa informs. The transition process will seek to sustain the evolution of the department by adding new perspectives to Chief Cost's foundational work for providing continued outstanding public safety services.
