Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Las Vegas Metropolitan Pol ice Department
Patch
Common name	Metro, Metro PD
Abbreviation	LVMPD
Motto	"Partners with the community"
Agency overview
Formed	July 1, 1973; 45 years ago (1973-07-01)
Preceding agencies	Las Vegas Police Department Clark County Sheriff's Department
Employees	5,000+
Annual budget	FY 2016–2017: $552,134,361
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Clark County, Nevada, U.S.
Size	8,061 sq mi (20,878 km²)
Population	2,204,079 (2017)
Legal jurisdiction	Clark County, Nevada, U.S. (excluding the cities of Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Mesquite)
Headquarters	400 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Las Vegas, Nevada
Police officers	3,200+
LVMPD Executive Staffs responsible	Joe Lombardo (R), Sheriff of Clark County Kevin C. McMahill (R), Under Sheriff Charles Hank, Assistant Sheriff Brett Zimmerman, Assistant Sheriff Tim Kelly, Assistant Sheriff
Facilities
Area Commands	9
Airbases	1
Detention Centers	3
Marked and Unmarked Cars	2,000+
Motorcycles	160+
Helicopters	6
Boats	3
Dogs	42
Horses	12
Website
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (also known as the LVMPD or Metro) is an independent agency and a joint city-county police force for the City of Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada. It is headed by the Sheriff of Clark County, elected every four years. The current Sheriff of Clark County is Joe Lombardo, who became sheriff on January 5, 2015. The sheriff is the only elected head law enforcement officer within the county, and, as such, the department is not under the direct control of the city, county, or state.

Metro is the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Nevada, and one of the largest police agencies in the United States.^[1]

History[edit]

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) was formed on July 1, 1973, by merging the Las Vegas Police Department with the Clark County Sheriff's Department. Metro serves the city limits of Las Vegas and the unincorporated areas and towns of Clark County.

In the early 1970s, both the Las Vegas Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's Department struggled with jurisdictional and budgetary problems. Oftentimes, people living in the metropolitan area would call the wrong agency to report crimes in progress, which would delay police response. Both agencies were also strapped for manpower, yet used a lot of it duplicating record-keeping and administrative functions in both of the agencies. The idea of consolidating the two law enforcement agencies into one metropolitan department began to circulate among the top officials in both agencies, likely due to the close working relationship between the Clark County Sheriff and the Las Vegas Police Chief at that time. It was said that even police officers on the Las Vegas Police Department could see that it would be better if the agency were run by the Sheriff, due to the fact that he was an elected official. Legislation to merge the Las Vegas Police Department with the Clark County Sheriff's Department was passed by the Nevada State Legislature, and the merger became effective in 1973.^[2]

In 1999, an outside audit, commissioned by the City of Las Vegas and conducted by DMG-Maximus, commended the department for having fewer managers and supervisors than are typically found in large police agencies. The audit also said that the managers, both sworn and civilian, were of "excellent quality".^[3] The auditors found that the recruitment and selection program was "among the best we have encountered in recent years". Although the city had planned to commission a second phase of the study, DMG-Maximus auditors said they were so impressed with the department that further study was unnecessary, saving the city $180,000 that had been allocated for the audit.^[3]

On January 5, 2015, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officially assumed responsibility for the Las Vegas Township Constable's Office.^[4] Las Vegas Township Constable's Office continues to be a separate entity but under Metro's detention services division.^[5]

Metro has more than 5,100 members. Of these, over 2,700 are police officers of various ranks and over 750 are corrections officers of various ranks.

Radio system[edit]

LVMPD operated on a digital radio system (DesertSky), which was turned on in 2011. In 2010, the agency began a transition from the former analog system to this new digital radio system. The transition to DesertSky was very slow, and some analog frequencies remained for outside access after full utilization. DesertSky was LVMPD's nickname for official name of "OpenSky", developed by what is now Harris Corporation.

On October 11, 2012, after two years of battling dropped calls and dead zones in the department's new radio system, Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie opted to drop DesertSky. Sheriff Douglas Gillespie informed the CEO of the Harris Corp. that his company's Desert Sky radio system cannot meet his department's needs. The decision was a markedly sharp change from past statements and advice to officers to remain patient while system bugs were fixed. "I believe we've given Harris every opportunity to make the system work," Gillespie said. "It's just not a reliable system."

The decision to dump Desert Sky came in the midst of the Metropolitan Police Department's worst budget crisis ever. The county wide agency's projected budget of $502 million for fiscal year 2013–14 was $46 million more than projected revenues.

Police officials say hiring a vendor to build a replacement voice transmission system could cost $15 million to $20 million, and take 16 to 24 months.^[6]

In 2014 the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stopped using Desert Sky Radio and converted to a Motorola radio system and gave the new system great praise for its ability to work with other jurisdictions and overall reliability.^[7]

As of February 2018, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department encrypted their radio frequencies; blocking the public from using police scanners. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that the decision to encrypt their radio channels was made back in 2015 due to officer safety concerns. However, since the switch was made fairly soon after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, some speculate that the change was inspired after the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's radio traffic of the event was recorded and released to the media.^[8]

Vehicle fleet[edit]

Las Vegas Metro Ford Explorer Police Interceptor in Spring Valley

Las Vegas Metro uses many vehicles from brands like Ford, Jeep, Buick, and Chevrolet as some unmarked or "undercover" vehicles. However, after the retirement of the Ford Crown Victoria in 2011, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police went through a short session of testing vehicles. As a result, the Ford Explorer took the place of the Crown Victoria, the main patrol vehicle from 2013 to present day. Las Vegas Metro continues to use the Ford Explorer while also purchasing new models to replace slots of the Crown Victoria.

Headquarters[edit]

Construction was completed on LVMPD's 370,500-square-foot headquarters, located at 400 S. Martin L. King Boulevard, in mid 2011. The building consolidated 27 bureaus, which were previously located in leased buildings around Las Vegas. It also houses the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Police Records, and a Fingerprint Bureau annex.

Fallen officers[edit]

The LVMPD and the agencies that existed prior to consolidation to form the agency, the Clark County Sheriff's Office, and City of Las Vegas Police Department have had officers killed in action.

On February 22, 1978, Motorcycle Officer James Rogan was shot and killed by a suspect while making a traffic stop on Paradise Road. During the stop, the suspect suddenly shot him, and as Rogan laid on the ground, the suspect stood over him and fired several more shots into his body, killing him.

On March 18, 1979, Correctional Officer James Harbin was shot and killed while on his way to work when he interrupted a robbery at a local convenience store. As he entered the store, the clerk tried to warn him that a robbery was in progress. When the suspect saw Harbin in uniform he opened fire, thinking Harbin was a police officer. The suspect was apprehended after holding officers at bay for several hours.

On August 12, 1979, Officer Clark Wooldridge was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a report of a fight caused by a traffic crash. During the response, his patrol car collided with another vehicle, overturned, and became engulfed in flames. Another officer who was responding to the call was able to pull Wooldridge, who was unconscious, from the vehicle. The officer, along with the assistance of a citizen, carried him away from the burning car. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.

On October 11, 1988, Motorcycle Officer Marc Kahre was shot and killed while following a shooting suspect. While on patrol, Kahre spotted the suspect and began to follow him as he requested backup to make a traffic stop. Before backup could arrive, the suspect suddenly stopped and opened fire, striking Kahre in the head. At the same time, a second officer arrived and returned fire, striking the suspect five times, wounding him. The suspect was able to get back into his car and drive away. He crashed the vehicle a short time later and committed suicide.

On October 23, 1992, Officer Donald Weese was killed while responding to a call for help of an officer under fire. Weese was responding in code along with a trainee and entered an intersection. A vehicle, whose driver did not see Weese's cruiser, entered the intersection as well and broadsided the cruiser, causing it to spin into a light post. Weese was killed instantly and his trainee sustained other injuries. The rescue department had to use the Jaws-of-Life in order to free Weese's body from the wreckage.

On March 24, 1998, Officer Russell L. Peterson was killed while participating in a training exercise for the police department's Search and Rescue Team.

In 2006, Sergeant Henry Prendes became the first Metro officer in 18 years to be shot and killed in the line of duty; he was the 22nd law enforcement official to be killed on duty in Clark County since the City of Las Vegas was founded.^[9]

In the early morning hours of May 7, 2009, Officer James "Jamie" Manor of Enterprise Area Command was driving in excess of 100 MPH without flashing lights or siren and killed as a result of a traffic collision while en route to a possible domestic violence call.^[10] Officer Manor was the 23rd officer in Clark County to be killed in the line of duty.

On the night of October 7, 2009, Officer Milburn "Millie" Beitel and another officer in the passenger seat were both seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash. Beitel died the early morning hours of October 8, 2009, from his injuries.

On November 19, 2009, Officer Trevor Nettleton was shot to death in his garage after exchanging fire with three men in a botched robbery attempt. The department considered this death 'in the line of duty' as he drew his police weapon in defense of himself and family, and Nettleton was laid to rest with full police honors.

On November 21, 2009, Corrections Officer Daniel Leach, while on duty, was killed in a car accident near Searchlight, Nevada.

On July 22, 2013, Officer Dave Vanbuskirk died after falling during a night-time aerial rescue operation of a hiker on Mount Charleston. The hiker had become disoriented and was stranded on a rock ledge near Mary Jane Falls. A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department helicopter located the hiker and lowered Vanbuskirk to the location. Vanbuskirk, a member of the Search and Rescue Section, attached the hiker to the hoist. As the helicopter began to raise the two to the helicopter, Vanbuskirk became detached from the line and fell to his death in the canyon floor below.

On June 8, 2014, Officers Igor Soldo and Alyn Beck were ambushed while they were eating lunch at CiCi's Pizza by a male and female couple who entered the restaurant and shot the officers, yelling, "This is a revolution." They then took the officers' weapons and ammunition and went across the street to a Walmart store and opened fire, resulting in the death of an armed civilian, Joseph Wilcox, who attempted to stop the suspects. The male was shot and killed by arriving officers, while the female, who was injured, killed herself shortly afterward. Soldo and Beck were transported to the hospital where they were pronounced dead.^[11] The suspects were identified as Jerad and Amanda Miller.^[12]

On October 1, 2017, off-duty Officer Charleston Hartfield, also a sergeant first class with the Nevada Army National Guard, was attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival when a heavily armed gunman, Stephen Paddock, opened fire on the festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. Hartfield attempted to protect as many guests as he could before he was mortally wounded by gunfire. Fellow LVMPD officers, including SWAT, entered the hotel and breached Paddock's hotel room, only to find him dead, having committed suicide before they entered.^[13][14]

Funding[edit]

The department is funded by both the City of Las Vegas and Clark County. Funding is based on a complex formula that includes population, calls for service, and felony crimes in the prior year. Both governments must approve the annual budget including their percentage of budget. Additionally the department itself generates approximately 33% of its funds through property tax, and the charging for certain services, such as special events, work cards, and privileged license investigations. Additional funding is generated from a special sales tax to fund commissioned positions. By state law, the sheriff is charged with running the county jail, known as the Clark County Detention Center or CCDC, which is funded solely by the government and tax base of Clark County.

Organization[edit]

There are two commissioned career tracks in the LVMPD. They have identical civil service rank structures and pay, but different day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.

• Corrections: These officers are tasked with operating, managing and supervising the Clark County Detention Center: there are over 750 currently.
  • Corrections Officer 690
  • Corrections Sergeant 66
  • Corrections Lieutenant 19
  • Corrections Captain 6
• Police: These officers are assigned all over the department; there are over 2700 currently.
  • Police Officer 2263
  • Police Sergeant 281
  • Police Lieutenant 74
  • Police Captain 22

Major patrol responsibilities are covered by bike patrols, motorcycle units and patrol cars assigned to the following units:

The LVMPD is divided into nine urban area commands:

• Bolden (Sectors U and W) – serves the west central portion of the city, including the old westside, an area bordered by I-15, US-95, Jones and Lake Mead Boulevard.
• Convention Center (Sector M) – Las Vegas Strip and Las Vegas Convention Center areas
• Downtown (Sectors A, B and C) – this division serves Downtown Las Vegas and areas roughly east of Eastern, south of Owens and north of Sahara Avenue to include the 'Naked City' and Fremont Street areas.
• Northeast (Sectors F and G) – Sector F includes unincorporated areas of North Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Speedway/Nellis AFB area.
• Northwest (Sectors V and X) – serves areas generally west of Jones Blvd and north of Charleston Blvd.
• Southeast (Sectors H, J and K) – serves areas east of Maryland Parkway and south of Sahara Blvd. Sector J includes unincorporated areas of Henderson.
• Spring Valley (Sectors R and P) – serves areas west of Interstate 15, south of Charleston Blvd and north of Flamingo Road. Also includes Chinatown.
• Enterprise (Sectors O and S) – this area serves mostly the southwest valley west of I-15 and south of Flamingo Road.
• South Central (Sectors I, N) – This area command serves the areas south of McCarran Airport between Interstate 15 and roughly Eastern Avenue.

When Metro was formed in 1973, the Las Vegas Valley was served by only three area commands: North, South and West.

Other major coverage details:

• Traffic Bureau (all sectors)
• Airport (Sector Q)
• nine different rural areas outside the Las Vegas Valley including:
  • Laughlin (Area 81)
  • Searchlight (Area 82)
  • Jean-Goodsprings (Area 83)
  • Blue Diamond-Sloan (Area 84)
  • Mount Charleston (Area 85)
  • Indian Springs (Area 86)
  • Logandale-Overton (Area 87)
  • Moapa Valley-Glendale (Area 88)
  • Riverside-Bunkerville (Area 89)

Rank structure[edit]

The LVMPD rank structure is as follows:

Title	Insignia
Sheriff
Undersheriff
Assistant Sheriff
Deputy Chief/Chief of Detention
Captain/Corrections Captain
Lieutenant/Corrections Lieutenant
Sergeant/Corrections Sergeant
Police Officer I / Police Officer II / Corrections Officer	No insignia

Enforcement areas[edit]

Persons arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department enter the criminal justice system at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas.

This department provides law enforcement services for all of Clark County, including the City of Las Vegas, yielding primary jurisdiction to the following agencies:

• Boulder City Police Department in Boulder City
• Hoover Dam Police
• College of Southern Nevada Police Department, formed in 2005
• Clark County Park Police in all Clark County parks
• Clark County Marshals Division which provide law enforcement services for The Eighth Judicial District Courts
• Clark County School District Police Department on Clark County School District property
• Henderson Police Department in Henderson
• City of Las Vegas Court Marshals which deliver warrants in the City of Las Vegas
• City of Las Vegas Deputy City Marshals which provide enforcement activities on public property, primarily city property
• Mesquite Police Department in Mesquite
• United States Air Force Security Forces at Nellis Air Force Base and Creech Air Force Base
• Nevada Highway Patrol is responsible for the Interstate highways, State highways and U.S. highways in Clark County
• Nevada Capitol Police: responsible for protection of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Downtown Las Vegas
• North Las Vegas Police Department in North Las Vegas
• UNLV Police Services on University of Nevada, Las Vegas campuses and sports facilities, formed in 197
• Nevada Taxicab Authority enforces laws and regulations dealing with taxicabs
• Veterans Affairs Police at the Las Vegas VA Medical Center and other facilities
• Union Pacific Police Department on Union Pacific Railroad properties in southern Nevada

Structure[edit]

The LVMPD is led by the sheriff; second in command is the undersheriff, who is assisted by four assistant sheriffs. The Office of Intergovernmental Services, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Public Information, the Office of Finance, The Police Employee Assistance Program (PEAP), and the Office of the Sheriff Executive Staff report to the undersheriff.

Four of the six elected Clark County sheriffs since the LVMPD was consolidated in 1973 are former members of either the Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) or Las Vegas Police Department (LVPD). Former Sheriffs Young and Gillespie are retired members of the LVMPD (that is they were commissioned solely as members of the LVMPD) Sheriff Gillespie rose to, and retired at, the appointed rank of undersheriff prior to assuming public office as the duly elected Sheriff of Clark County.

The ranks of undersheriff, assistant sheriff, and deputy chief are appointed from the highest civil service rank of captain. These positions serve at the pleasure of the sheriff and as such, if they lose the confidence of the person who holds that office, they can be returned to their civil service rank of captain if they choose not to simply retire. Division directors are civilian appointees that head divisions as would a deputy chief. Of additional note, at various points in the department's history the appointed rank of Commander has been used between the ranks of deputy chief and captain.

The undersheriff is second in command to the sheriff. The position is currently held by Undersheriff Kevin McMahill.

The Law Enforcement Services Group Assistant Sheriff oversees two divisions, each overseen by a deputy chief or division director. The divisions are: Technical Services Division (made up of the Criminalistics Bureau, Police Records Bureau, Fingerprint Bureau, and Logistics Bureau); Professional Standards Division (Office of Human Resources, Organizational Development Bureau, and the Internal Affairs Bureau). Additionally, the Information Technologies Bureau reports directly to the Assistant Sheriff.

The Law Enforcement Operations Group Assistant Sheriff oversees 2 divisions, both led by a deputy chief. The divisions are: Detention Services Division (made up of the DSD Records Bureau, South Tower Bureau, Central Booking Bureau, North Tower Bureau, Civil / Constable Bureau,^[15] Administrative Operations Bureau, and the Staff Operations Bureau), and the Patrol Division (made up of the Downtown Area Command, Bolden Area Command, Northeast Area Command, Northwest Area Command, Enterprise Area Command, Convention Center Area Command, Southeast Area Command, and the South Central Area Command).

The Law Enforcement Investigations and Support Group Assistant Sheriff oversees two divisions, both led by a deputy chief. The divisions are: The Investigative Services Division (made up of the Robbery/Homicide Bureau, Crimes Against Youth/Family Bureau, Gang Crimes Bureau, and the Financial/Property Crimes Bureau), and the Special Operations Division (made up of the Airport Bureau, Communications Bureau, Support Operations Bureau, and the Traffic Bureau).

The Homeland Security Investigations and Support Group Assistant Sheriff oversees a single division. The Homeland Security Division is led by a deputy chief consists of the Southern Nevada Counterterrorism Center (SNCTC), Emergency Operations Bureau, Organized Crime Bureau, and the Vice/Narcotics Bureau.

Area commands and bureaus are typically led by captains. The captains in turn manage a staff of 1 to 4 lieutenants who in turn manage a staff of 4 or 5 sergeants. Sergeants typically supervise 6–12 police officers, corrections officers, or detectives and civilian support staff. Sections are typically led by lieutenants.

A typical substation or area command has a captain, three or four police lieutenants, sixteen police sergeants, and 130–150 police officers.^{[citation needed]}

Volunteer program[edit]

The department maintains an active volunteer program called the Metro Volunteer Program or MVP. The program publishes a monthly newsletter available on the department web site. MVPs are used within the department in any area that is not law enforcement as the volunteers are not law enforcement officers.

The program was honored in 2011 as the winner for Outstanding Achievement in Law Enforcement Volunteer Program by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.^[16]

Training[edit]

LVMPD Recruit Training Academy[edit]

The LVMPD operates its own training academy—officially the LVMPD Recruit Training Academy, but referred to by members the department as "The Academy".^{[citation needed]} New recruits are required to attend a 28-week academy. This includes those who have attended another police academy. The academy is composed of a hand-picked training staff of senior police officers who are recognized experts in multiple fields, including police academics, patrol tactics, procedure, defensive tactics/martial arts, physical fitness, and firearms skills.

The academy is headquartered at the Jerry Keller Training Facility next to the Northwest Area Command station. During the initial phase, the recruits' training is centered around intense physical conditioning, basic defensive tactics, and academic classroom instruction.

The remainder of the academy becomes less academic-based and far more practical-application-based. The concentration of the curriculum focuses on intense defensive tactics/martial art instruction and advanced police tactics. It is also during this phase that the police recruit receives firearms training and the Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course.

The LVMPD Recruit Training Academy is nationally regarded as one of the toughest police academies in the nation, both physically and academically.^{[citation needed]} The drop-out rate is roughly 35 percent.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to police academics, the recruits must successfully complete a basic Spanish language program which is taught throughout the academy training.

The LVMPD runs a separate academy for corrections officer. This academy is located inside the Clark County Detention Center (CCDC).^{[citation needed]} and is similar to the police academy, but somewhat shorter in duration.

Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP)[edit]

Upon successful completion of academy, the new officers' training continues during a 24-week Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP), during which new officer rides side-by-side with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO) who grades and evaluates the new officers.

The role of the FTO is also to train the new officer in real-world application of the skills learned at the academy in a student/master relationship. The new officer is assigned to a new FTO every three weeks for a total of eight FTOs over four 'phases' (6 weeks in each phase). The new officer must show a measured level of skill and competency to advance through the phases.

The final three weeks FTEP are 'solo' weeks in which the new officer rides by himself or herself for at least two shifts per week under the close scrutiny of his/her final FTO. At the successful completion of the FTEP program, the new officer is transferred to his/her first duty patrol squad and is officially a police officer.

It is one year from the day the recruit enters the academy to the day he or she completes training and is a solo police officer patrolling the street.

In-service / continued training and education[edit]

The LVMPD also places emphasis on its continuing training for its sworn police officers. LVMPD officers are required to attend quarterly firearms training and re-qualifications, quarterly defensive tactics training, a vigorous annual Advanced Officer Survival Tactics course, various required on-line classes per year.

One complete shift every two weeks is also dedicated for squad-level training. This does not include special skill or specialized unit specific mandated training. The LVMPD encourages its officers to attend as much training as is possible to learn new skills and stay current with cutting-edge law enforcement techniques and tactics.

The Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) takes place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Police officers complete their initial course of training for EVOC at the academy. Commissioned officers then must re-certify every two years during an additional 10-hour EVOC course.

Motorcycle officers must initially attend and pass a three-week police Motorcycle Riders Course. They then must re-certify every six months in order to continue operating a motorcycle for duty.

Citizen training[edit]

The department also operates two Citizen's Police Academies.^[17] One of these is a regular academy and the second is a Spanish Citizen's Police Academy.

Specialized units[edit]

For individual unit specifics and detail see following section, "Specialized Unit Specifics."

Organizational Structure in place as of December 2011:

Detention Services Division (DSD)

• Clark County Detention Center (commonly known as "CCDC" by officers)
• Crime Stoppers - (702) 385-5555
• Crisis Intervention Team
• PEAP - Police Employee's Assistance Program
• YES- Youth Education Services Detail (Formerly DARE)
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Homeland Security Division
  • Vice/Narcotics Bureau
  • Southern Nevada Counterterrorism Center (SNCTC)
    • Counter Terrorism Section
    • ANSEC (Analytical Section)
  • Emergency Operations Bureau
    • ARMOR Section ( CBRNE Response )
    • SWAT
      • Crisis Negotiation Team
    • Emergency Management
  • Organized Crime Bureau
    • Criminal Intelligence
    • Special Investigations
• Investigative Services Division
  • Gang Crimes Bureau
  • Robbery/Homicide Bureau
    • Robbery Section
    • Homicide Section
    • Career Criminal Section
      • Fugitive Detail
      • Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) Federal Task Force (FBI, LVMPD)
      • Repeat Offenders Program (ROP)
    • Violent Crimes Section
  • Crimes Against Youth and Family Bureau
    • Abuse/Neglect Detail
    • Computer Forensics Lab, LV-ECTF (Federal Task Force with United States Secret Service)
    • Domestic Violence Detail
    • Missing Persons
    • Sexual Assault Detail
    • Sexual Abuse Detail
  • Financial - Property Crimes Bureau
    • Auto Theft
    • VIPER
    • Firearms Section
    • Forgery Detail
    • Fraud Detail
    • Construction Theft
• Special Operations Division
  • Airport Bureau
  • Communications Bureau
  • Support Operations Bureau
    • Mobile Crime Saturation Team
    • Special Events Section
    • Air Support
    • Search and Rescue
    • Laughlin
    • Resident Officer Section
    • K-9
  • Traffic Bureau
• Patrol Division
  • Northwest Area Command
  • Bolden Area Command
  • Downtown Area Command
  • Northeast Area Command
  • Enterprise Area Command
  • Spring Valley Area Command
  • Convention Center Area Command
    • Tourist Crimes Unit- Operates out of the Convention Center Area Command
    • Mounted police- Operates out of the Convention Center Area Command
  • South Central Area Command
  • Southeast Area Command
• Professional Standards Division
  • Office of Human Resources
    • Metro Volunteer Program
  • Internal Affairs Bureau
  • Organizational Development Bureau
    • Firearms Range
    • EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course)
    • In-service Training
    • UMLV - Metro's Online training system
    • AOST (Advanced Officer Skills Training)
    • Academy
    • CIRT
    • Quality Assurance
• Technical Services Division
  • Criminalistics Bureau (CSA a.k.a. CSI)
  • Police Records Bureau
  • Fingerprint Bureau
  • Logistics Bureau

Specialized unit specifics[edit]

SWAT[edit]

The LVMPD SWAT team is a nationally respected organization.^{[citation needed]} The team, composed of nearly 40 operators, is one of a handful of full-time SWAT teams in the country. The team's main objective is to save lives, victims as well as suspects. They are on the cutting edge on the use of a constantly changing array of less-lethal weapons and munitions. Team members are highly trained and work in no less than two-man cells. They are referred to as Zebra units and not called the 'Zebra Squadron' as it is asserted by the narrator on an often repeated cable documentary. However, their designated LVMPD call sign is Z, phonetically in the LVMPD alphabet- Zebra. The individual officers are denoted by their seniority in the unit. Therefore, Z1 (or Zebra 1) is the most senior operator and Z37 is the junior. This nomenclature applies to other units within the department as well. LVMPD SWAT conducts training both for LVMPD recruits and seasoned officers within the department plus visiting agencies from across the country as well as foreign police units. In any given year, they will respond to an average of 55 hostage incidents and execute over 365 high risk search warrants and/or arrest warrants.^{[citation needed]} SWAT also provides dignitary protection for the President of the United States, the Vice President, visiting heads of state and other dignitaries during visits to the Las Vegas area.

Traffic[edit]

Also called "Motors", this is currently the largest of all Harley Davidson fleets in the country^{[citation needed]} and has over 160 officers assigned. Traffic does specialized enforcement as dictated by the Office of the sheriff, on the freeways, main and secondary roads, and schools. Motors is responsible for the majority of the DUI arrests and citations written in Clark County. These units are called "Tom" units, with a 3-digit or 4-digit number (the first designating its shift, and the last two or three digits representing the officer's seniority). E.g. T3115 would be a swing shift (3) officer who is 115th in seniority within the unit.

K-9[edit]

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has one of the oldest continuously operating K-9 units in the United States. Currently, the LVMPD K-9 Detail has 21 officers (including three sergeants) and 21 Patrol Dogs, trained to locate human scent. These dogs search for suspects, lost victims, and evidence that suspects may have discarded. Seven are European bred German Shepherds, one Dutch Shepard, and 13 are Belgian Malinois' (Mal-in-waa). The LVMPD has 15 detection dogs, nine of the dogs are Narcotic Detector dogs which are trained to locate marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. The LVMPD uses hunting breeds such as Springer Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers because of their high hunt and play drives. The LVMPD has six Explosive Detector Dogs used to locate many various types of explosives. In addition to the dogs assigned to K-9, the LVMPD has six other Narcotic Detector Dogs. Five of these dogs are assigned to the Narcotics Detail, Interdiction Team. They have one Springer Spaniel, and Black and Yellow Labradors. The sixth is assigned to the Resident Section, Laughlin and is a Black Labrador.

Air Support Unit[edit]

The LVMPD Air Support Unit consists of 11 helicopter pilots, 4 tactical flight officers and 4 FAA certified aircraft mechanics. All pilots are dual rated as both helicopter and airplane pilots. together they have over 413 years of police experience and more than 73,000 flight hours. All pilots and tactical flight officers are police officers and must have been with LVMPD for 5 years before being eligible to join the Air Support Unit.

The mission of the Air Support Unit is multifaceted with a primary duty of aerial support for patrol officers. The Air Support Unit aircraft patrol over 8,000 square miles including outlying and residential areas of Clark County. Additional duties include: covert aerial surveillance of suspects, search and rescue, transport flights, Presidential motorcade escorts, and maintenance of the mountain top radio repeater sights.

The Air Support Unit's fleet consists of one Airbus H145, three MD530Fs, and two Bell HH-1H Hueys. The Air Support Unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and flies 6,000 hours annually.

In 2008 the Air Support Unit responded to over 14,000 calls for service which included being directly involved in the capture and arrest of 782 suspects, the recovery of 392 stolen vehicles, and conducted 147 search and rescue missions.

Search and Rescue[edit]

LVMPDSAR is one of the busiest units in the country. The LVMPD Search and Rescue Unit was formed in 1986 to provide a technical rescue service to the community of Las Vegas. The unit is on call 24 hours a day and responds to over 8,000 square miles of mountainous desert terrain and water ways in Clark County, Nevada. All members have completed extensive training in such skills as high angle rope rescue, helicopter operations, desert survival, tracking, land navigation, emergency medicine, and many others. The unit operates by combining several highly specialized groups to complete its mission. These groups including paid police officers, helicopter support, and more than 50 unpaid volunteers. The unit includes a mountain rescue team, K-9 tracking team, and a dive team. Police Officers assigned to SAR also serve as tactical medics for the LVMPD SWAT team. LVMPDSAR has been deployed outside Clark County on several occasions to assist other agencies. These deployments include the Gulf coast during Hurricane Katrina (2005), the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT (2002) and search and recovery operations in New York City after the September 11th terrorist attacks. LVMPDSAR has also assisted the United States military during search and rescue operations for downed pilots in the Nevada desert.

Resident Officers[edit]

The Resident Officer Section of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department covers all of the unincorporated outlying areas of Clark County, Nevada.

The title of "Resident Officer Section" was chosen due to the fact that officers actually reside within the outlying district of Clark County that they patrol.

With the exception of homicides and fatal traffic accidents, Resident Officers comprehensively handle every type of incident within their area of responsibility. This includes initial patrol response, crime scene processing, evidence collection, follow-up investigation, interview and interrogation, search warrants, and case submittals for prosecution. Also, due to the close proximity, officers frequently interact with members of Arizona and California law enforcement agencies within the tri-state area.

Each officer has also received specialized training, and maintains any required certification, for each of the following: AR-15 rifle, swift water rescue, breath instrument operation, special DUI testing, bike patrol, dash mounted radar, crime scene investigation, GPS navigation, and accident investigation. Many officers have also expanded their skills into several other specialties such as: crisis intervention, advanced first aid, CPR, Automatic Electronic Defibrillator, and advanced crime scene investigation.

Resident Officers also take on many additional responsibilities related to significant departmental affairs. Many of these obligations are distinctive to the mission of the unit, such as: DARE, Explorer Program Coordinator, Laughlin PIO, Safety Coordinator, Homeland Security Liaison, Special Events Coordinator, Emergency Management Intermediary, Tri-State Intelligence Association, Tri-State Investigator's Network, Training Coordinator, Laughlin Criminal Apprehension Team, MVP Coordinator, Community Relations Delegate, Outlaw Bikers Investigator's Association, and Vehicle Assignment and Maintenance Coordinator. Officers of the Resident Officer Unit are very active within the communities of their jurisdiction. They take part in numerous community events in on-duty, as well as off-duty, capacities. They have a close rapport with citizens, business owners and employees, civic leaders, and school staff members.

Firearms[edit]

Firearms training takes place at the LVMPD's John T. Moran Firearms Training Facility, located near Nellis Air Force Base, and named for the department's second sheriff. The facility is used by numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. At the facility, recruits receive several weeks of firearms training during the academy. Commissioned police officers must attend firearms re-qualification four times a year. This re-qualification is for all firearms. The qualifications include known-distance targets and tactical courses of fire in both regular and low-light.

Officers can choose their sidearm from a list of semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Beretta, Colt, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Kimber, Para-Ordnance/Para USA, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, Steyr Mannlicher, Unertl, Walther and Wilson Combat. The preferred calibers are 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.^[18]

Most officers prefer the Glock 17 9x19mm followed by the SIG Sauer P320 and Smith & Wesson M&P both are also preffered in 9x19mm. Officers do usually have a tactical flashlight on their firearm and as of recently some officers do carry red dot style sights on their sidearms.

Clark County Detention Center[edit]

Public entrance

The department operates the detention facility. It is used to house inmates arrested in their patrol area, with the exception of misdemeanors committed in the City of Las Vegas, which maintains its own jail. It also holds persons who are wanted for extradition to another jurisdiction, persons who are awaiting a bail hearing or trial, or those persons serving a sentence of 364 days or less.

The CCDC has been the subject of controversy surrounding the treatment of inmates by officers. The facility has been criticized for its violations of human rights, with a major focus on verbal and sexual abuse to inmates as well as the use of controversial spit mask restraint for resistive detainees during the booking process. There have been several instances of pre-trial detention lasting for years at a time.

In popular culture[edit]

• Ocean's Eleven (1960 film) (as Clark County Sheriff's Office)
• Ocean's Eleven (2001 film)
• Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
• The Gauntlet (1977)
• Vega$ (1978-1981)
• Diamonds are Forever (as CCSO and LVPD) (1971)
• Rocky IV (1985)
• COPS (featured regularly since 1990)
• Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992) on the Vegas Strip where Adam Szalinski walked.
• Best of the Best 2 (1993)
• Another Stakeout (1993)
• Casino (1995)
• Con Air (1997)
• CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015) (fictitiously depicted as the "Las Vegas Police Department" in the show)
• Las Vegas (2003-2008)
• Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
• Rocky Balboa
• Next (2007)
• The Hangover (2009)
• The First 48
• The video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (2004; fictitiously depicted as the Las Venturas Police Department)
• The video game Rainbow Six Vegas
• Las Vegas Jailhouse (crime documentary featured since 2010)
• Drugs, Inc. (2010–present)
• Vegas Strip (crime documentary featured since 2011)
• Vegas (2012) on CBS (as Clark County Sheriff's Office)
• The Last Stand (2013)
• The Player (2015)
• Jason Bourne (2016)
• Sleepless (2017)
• Gangstar Vegas

Misconduct[edit]

Since the late 1970s, more than 100 LVMPD officers and civilian employees have been implicated in documented instances of police misconduct and/or actual criminal activity, with numerous incidents resulting in lawsuit settlements in excess of a million dollars apiece. A later excessive force case was tried in Davis v. City of Las Vegas.

See also[edit]

• List of law enforcement agencies in Nevada
• West Las Vegas riots
• Zane Floyd
• O.J. Simpson and O. J. Simpson robbery case
• River Run Riot
• Bundy standoff
• Tupac Shakur^[19] and The Killing of Tupac Shakur, book by crime author Cathy Scott
• Bright Lights, Dark Places, memoir by former Metro Police Lt. Debra Gauthier

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department website
• Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Recruiting website