Police officers in the Arizona city of Mesa have voted against MPD Chief Ramon Batista, claiming he no longer represents the officers of the department.
The Mesa Police Association and the Mesa Fraternal Order of Police announced the results of the vote on Wednesday, expressing their disdain towards the chief.
“He’s no longer welcome in the Mesa Police Department,” MPA President Nate Gafvert said. “He’s no longer welcome in our home and we would like him to leave.”
According to AZ Central, critics of Batista claim that the chief is more concerned about public image than backing his officers.
The vote is a symbolic one as only the city can fire the chief.
Batista, who started his law enforcement career with the Tucson Police Department in 1986, recently released a statement on the matter.
“The Mesa Police Department’s mission is and always has been to protect and serve the people of Mesa,” he wrote. “We work together with City leaders and the community to prevent and reduce crime and to ensure justice by building trust, showing respect and preserving human rights.”
“As a command staff, we are committed to leading this department and supporting its officers as they carry out their duties,” he added. “Together we have experienced tremendous growth and faced challenges that in the end will make us better. We will continue to build stronger relationships within the department and throughout the community. I am proud to serve the City of Mesa as the Police Chief and to lead the men and women of the Mesa Police Department.”
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