Henderson council candidates split on hiring next police chief internally

( Las Vegas Review-Journal).
Candidates in Henderson's Ward 1 unique election were split in their views on Henderson's current strategy to employ the next police chief from within the department.

Henderson has had four police chiefs in the last 11 years, and every chief who served the city in that time left in the middle of controversy.

Former Chief Jutta Chambers retired in March 2012 after the city settled a claim of police brutality versus the department in 2010. The City Council at the time asked Chambers to step down after being outlined the nature of the occurrence.

Former Chief Patrick Moers and left the department while he was being investigated for sexual harassment in May 2017.

Previous Chief LaTesha Watson was fired in April 2019 for her dispute with police unions, union members and not cooperating with an official detective, according to a letter from the assistant city supervisor at the time. She later on sued the city in 2020, alleging racial and gender discrimination among other claims.

The most current authorities chief, Thedrick Andres, retired at the end of February following a vote of "no confidence" from both Henderson cops unions in November 2022.

As part of the procedure for selecting the next chief, the Henderson Police Department recently promoted four captains to deputy chief. City Manager Richard Derrick and Assistant City Manager Jim McIntosh will pick the department's next chief from those 4 after an internal selection procedure, with input from the mayor and council.

When inquired about what they 'd suggest for the city to smooth out the problems Henderson has had with cops management, prospects Melissa Woodbury, Alex Kleytman, Aaron Johnson and Jim Seebock applauded the city for selecting to hire its next chief from within.

" I believe that in the city of Henderson, we do need to have a tradition of promoting from within to these top levels," said Kleytman. "Because it's good that they're a part of the community … … having someone who's homegrown is essential.".

Prospects Ali Nilson and Tim Cox stated working with from within by itself isn't the very best solution for the department's history of problems with the position.

Nilson said the city does not require to simply look within the cops department for its next candidate due to the fact that to her it is more crucial that the background and certifications of the next chief match Henderson's particular requirements regardless of where the brand-new prospect originates from.

Cox stated the city should look into why the previous cops chiefs failed, identify what they're trying to achieve and develop tools to assist select prospects that work best. He also suggested searching for a short-term option for the position now that would assist establish long-term options for the future.

Candidate Eddie Hamilton did not comment on promoting prospects currently in the department, but said the city should hold the next chief to a high requirement.

" If you pay individuals that much, you need performance from them," Hamilton said. "The chief of police should be given an uphill struggle due to the fact that he makes a lot cash, how (the police chief) handle( s) things is (the chief's) problem, you got ta figure it out or we'll find somebody else.".

Early electing the Ward 1 race will range from Tuesday up until Thursday, and Election Day will be April 3. In-person voting and mail tally drop-off will be at Henderson City Hall.

Just Ward 1 citizens will have the ability to vote in the election, after a charter modification was approved in November.

Contact Mark Credico at mcredico@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkCredicoII.