Assistant Chief Michael Dvorak has been selected as the Interim Mesa Police Chief replacing outgoing Chief John Meza who will retire at the end of 2016.
Dvorak, who has more than 29 years with City of Mesa, has served as part of the Command Staff since 2004, most recently overseeing the Investigations Bureau, and has long been at the forefront of developing innovative policing strategies, regional partnerships, evidence-based initiatives, organizational accountability and neighborhood-based programs, while leading organizational change in his areas of responsibility. Dvorak was hired in 1987.
Dvorak serves as a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Intelligence Command Group (MCCICG), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the East Valley Chief’s Association. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Leadership Academy. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University and a Master Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.
He will begin his new assignment December 22, 2016 when Meza leaves the City after 30 years with the department. The Mesa Police Department has 1,212 employees, a budget of $165 million and is recognized nationally for its innovation and use of technology.
Dvorak will serve as the Interim Police Chief until a new police chief is hired through a national search that will commence in the first part of 2017.