The City of Mesa announces the retirement of Police Chief Kenneth Cost, effective June 30, 2025, concluding a remarkable 30-year career with the Mesa Police Department. Chief Cost has been the department's top official since 2019, leading the agency through significant transformation and achievement.
"Chief Cost has been instrumental in transforming the Mesa Police Department into a model law enforcement agency," said Mesa City Manager Chris Brady. "Under his leadership, Mesa has seen dramatic reductions in violent crime, unprecedented solve rates, and stronger community partnerships. He set a new standard for policing in Mesa and across the nation through strategic planning, officer training and technological innovation."
During his tenure as Chief, Cost implemented strategic initiatives that have positioned Mesa as the second safest major city in the United States, with a population of over 500,000. He implemented innovative approaches to policing, including developing the department's Strategic Plan, the nationally recognized SPARC Youth Sports Program, comprehensive training reforms, and technological advancements such as the Real-Time Crime Center and drone first responders.
"It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as Mesas Police Chief and to work alongside the dedicated men and women of this department," said Chief Cost. 'Together, we've built a department that prioritizes community engagement, officer wellness, and innovative approaches to public safety. I'm deeply proud of what we've accomplished, and I know the foundation we've laid will continue to serve the Mesa community for years to come."
Mesa Police Department thrived under Chief Costs leadership, successfully hiring over 300 new officers, reducing vacancy rates to historic lows, adding a fifth police station, and starting renovations to Mesa police headquarters. His implementation of the police jiu-jitsu program has improved officer and community safety while reducing use-of-force incidents in Mesa.
Mayor Mark Freeman expressed his gratitude for Chief Costs contributions to Mesa: "On behalf of the City Council and all Mesa residents, I want to thank Chief Cost for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to our community. Under his leadership, Mesa has become one of the safest cities in America. His dedication to building trust between our police department and the community has made Mesa a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement."
Chief Cost holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice from California State University at Fullerton and a masters degree from Xavier University in Ohio. He is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy for Police Executives and the FBI's National Executive Institute. Prior to joining the Mesa Police Department, Chief Cost served as a sworn investigator with the State of California in East Los Angeles. Throughout his career in Mesa, he has served in multiple capacities, including Special Investigations-Gang Unit, Street Crimes, Violent Offender-US Marshals Task Force, and various roles in Criminal Investigations.
"Chief Cost's leadership has transformed the Mesa Police Department into an innovative, community-focused agency that serves as a model for police departments nationwide," said Scott Butler, Mesa's incoming City Manager who currently oversees Mesa public safety. "His strategic emphasis on officer recruitment, training and retention has positioned the Mesa police for continued success. The foundation he has built will allow us to continue providing exceptional public safety services to Mesa residents for generations to come."
The new Mesa Police Chief will be appointed by incoming City Manager Scott Butler in June, ensuring a smooth transition in the departments leadership. The process will focus on selecting a candidate who will build upon Chief Costs accomplishments while bringing fresh perspectives to the department's continued evolution.