New Henderson police chief focuses on officer recruitment, retention

Police chief Hollie Chadwick welcomes fellow officers after her swearing-in event at Henderson City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)Hollie Chadwick (Henderson Police Department)Police chief Hollie Chadwick poses for pictures with her family after her swearing-in event at Henderson City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal).
After being sworn in on Tuesday, Henderson's new cops chief, Hollie Chadwick, outlined her priorities and upcoming department efforts.

Under her leadership, Chadwick stated a main focus of the department will be on officer recruitment and retention.

Henderson utilized 482 sworn law enforcement officer at the end of in 2015, the most officers the force has seen in the previous five years, according to data from the city. Sixteen less officers worked in Henderson in 2021, with a total of 466 at the end of that year.

As chief, Chadwick seeks to continue the upward trend for officer numbers.

To improve recruitment, Chadwick stated the police department is putting a higher focus on lateral programs to employ officers from other departments and aiming to establish a cadet program for 18- to 20-year-olds thinking about policing. The department currently has the explorer's program for minors but absolutely nothing for adults under 21, Chadwick said.

She also stated the department is going to appear at more neighborhood work occasions, like job fairs.

Chadwick stated the department is likewise making efforts to retain the officers they currently have. The main focus is guaranteeing that officers are happy to go to work.

" One of our big retention efforts is ensuring individuals enjoy and satisfied in the work environment," Chadwick stated.

One way that she's preparing to keep officers pleased is by making sure they have chances to grow expertly and move within the department.

Another part of retention efforts will be concentrating on the psychological and physical health of the officers, Chadwick said, due to the fact that looking after officers' well-being "straight translates out to the community.".

When inquired about the problems Henderson officers have raised with previous authorities chiefs, Chadwick stated the department has actually "moved on from all that.".

The department's previous chief, Thedrick Andres, retired after getting a vote of "no self-confidence" from the city's authorities unions. The police chief prior to Andres, LaTesha Watson, was fired over disputes with authorities unions and took legal action against the city, declaring discrimination.

Chadwick stated the department will hold multiple internal committees to ensure communication with officers. She said the department also plans to hold public committees to be transparent and open with the general public, the time and location of which will be published on the city's website and the department's social media.

Chadwick went on to praise the Henderson neighborhood for supporting her and other Henderson officers. When things don't seem right in their neighborhood, she likewise called on the neighborhood to report.

" Everything we do has to do with our neighborhood, everyone (in the department) has developed an excellent relationship with the neighborhood and the neighborhoods they implement," Chadwick stated.

Contact Mark Credico at mcredico@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Instagram @writermark2.