The City of Mesa announced today that Tucson Assistant Police Chief Ramon Batista has been selected as the new Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department. Batista has been with the Tucson Police Department for 31 years and in the position of Assistant Police Chief since 2014.
Leaders within the Tucson Police Department have been heading for higher ground in recent years due to poor morale within the Department since Chief Chris Magnus took control. Batista is the second such leader to win a chief spot.
“The Chief of Police is one of the most important leadership positions in the City overseeing a department of nearly 1,200 sworn and civilian employees,” City Manager Christopher Brady said. “The public safety professionals who participated in this recruitment process have exceptional credentials and I have the utmost respect for each one of them. The selection process included feedback provided by many community members, business and civic leaders as well as police officers over several months of interviews and forums. Assistant Chief Batista was chosen because I believe he is the best fit for our community and organization at this time.”
As an Assistant Chief, Ramon has been responsible for the Patrol Bureau and now currently oversees the Investigative Bureau, which is comprised of the following areas: crime lab, evidence processing center, identification center and all detectives.
“We are appreciative of the candidates that dedicated their time to the process and all those that served on panels or forums and the public that took the time to come meet the candidates.” Brady said. “I also want to extend a special thanks to Chief Michael Dvorak who has worked tirelessly over the last six months as interim police chief. He has done an incredible job and is to be commended.”
Batista has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
The Mesa Police Department has approximately 1,200 employees, and a budget of $175.9 million.