The City of Moab announced the promotion of Officer Mike Thurston to Assistant Moab Police Chief with a swearing-in ceremony at the start of the city council meeting Tuesday, July 9.
Moab Police Chief Bret Edge said Thurston has been with the police department for a little over a year and has spent 13 years in law enforcement, including with the Grand County Sheriff’s office and other Utah counties.
“Mike understands our community and has a very good relationship with our officers and employees of allied public safety agencies in this area,” Edge said.
Thurston’s new role will have him oversee Moab City Police personnel, including by implementing an officer wellness program for the department. Edge said that he had already helped resolve employee issues.
“He will help me navigate multiple high-level projects, including the development and implementation of a new field training officer program, policy development, budget preparation, the development of an employee wellness program, etc,” Edge said.

“He’s an above-average communicator, a dedicated and hardworking employee and has a genuine desire to serve the public to the best of his ability,” said Edge.