The Valley’s two most populous cities are facing executive turnover in their police departments.
The chief of Mesa police announced his retirement days after Phoenix officials relaunched that city’s search for a new police chief.
Phoenix police have spent years under interim leadership. Now Mesa Police Chief Kenneth Cost is retiring at the end of June.
City officials say Cost hired hundreds of officers, built community bonds and launched a jiu-jitsu program that’s led to fewer use-of-force incidents.
“We were lucky to have Chief Cost, and we’re sad to see him go. But in my 22-plus years, he’s been the best chief that we’ve had during my time,” said Glenn Pearson, president of the Mesa Police Association labor union.
In March, the City Council named Scott Butler as the incoming city manager to replace Brady, who is also retiring, effective June 1. The city said Butler will appoint a new chief in June.
National recruiting for the Phoenix job is underway, and city officials expect that a new permanent chief will be announced in July.
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