How badly did Mesa want George Gascón to be its top cop? Consider this: In April, when the field of 44 candidates had been narrowed to five, City Manager Chris Brady said the new chief’s annual pay could reach $144,000.

When Mesa names a new police chief later this spring, that might only be the first of many changes at the police department.

When Mesa names a new police chief later this spring, that might only be the first of many changes at the police department.

A drug-sniffing Mesa police dog that had been missing for more than 14 hours was found and returned to his handler Wednesday afternoon.

On Friday a live bat was found inside the identification section of the Mesa Police Department.

Proposal: Tactical Primates

Last month, Mesa management announced a proposal to trim spending by $62 million over the next year-and-a-half, eliminate about 350 jobs, possibly change work hours and consolidate several departments.

The Mesa Police Department is offering a free self-defense class for women 18 years and older. Six, three-course sessions are available this year, and participants must attend all classes.

Mesa parents can have their children fingerprinted, photographed and have bite casts done free of charge during a Take 25 event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Mesa Police Chief George Gascón informed his agency's roughly 1,500 employees via video and e-mail that the ongoing efforts to slash the city budget will translate to a $7.6 million cut for the police department up to the rest of this fiscal year, which ends in June. And it doesn't get better for the next fiscal year, with another $15 million in projected cuts.

An 11-year veteran with the Mesa Police Department who began working in public safety when she was a teenager has been awarded a high honor in her job.

The Mesa Police Department’s next leader will be an outsider. The pool of semifinalists for the position of chief has been pared in half.

The Mesa Police Department’s next leader will be an outsider. The pool of semifinalists for the position of chief has been pared in half, to Phoenix assistant chief John L. Buchanan and Los Angeles assistant chief George Gascón, Mesa officials announced Monday.

A Mesa police commander was placed on paid suspension last week as the department began an internal affairs investigation into his conduct.

Police officers say low morale, lack of pay raises and shrinking resources make it harder to justify staying on the Mesa Police Department as the city faces a financial crisis.

Police officers say low morale, lack of pay raises and shrinking resources make it harder to justify staying on the Mesa Police Department as the city faces a financial crisis.

For the second time in two weeks, Mesa police Saturday shot and killed a person who had a knife after officers’ efforts to use a stun gun failed.

Many said the bright, colorful patch put police officers' safety at risk while some said it was confusing to read. But others bemoan the fact that the shield-shaped, yellow and light blue patch, a unique Mesa icon, is changing after 30 years.

A familiar face and name from the ranks of Mesa Police Department's volunteers has died.

Police are looking for a man suspected of robbing a Chase Bank branch on Wednesday in Mesa. The armed robbery occurred at 1:49 p.m. at the bank located at 2020 E. McKellips Road.