Latest news with #Garcia-Vause
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Cocaine, jail break, inmate death: Henderson city emails reveal new concerns
HENDERSON (KLAS) — A widely circulated release obtained by 8 News Now provides a timeline of events that ultimately led Henderson City Manager Stephanie Garcia-Vause to fire then-police chief Hollie Chadwick. The redacted City of Henderson emails reveal new details about several concerns with law enforcement and the fraught relationship between the city manager and police chief. More than a few of the emails are similar to public requests from 8 News Now that have gone unfulfilled for months. Ex-Henderson police chief blames mayor for abrupt dismissal, announces bid to run against her A Hollie Chadwick for Mayor campaign spokesperson told 8 News Now they have seen the report, and they allege several responses from the former police chief were not included in the release. The following are several excerpts from the widely circulated release. On Dec. 9, 2024, Garcia-Vause asked Chadwick to respond to several concerns raised, including cocaine found on police property. 'Regarding a narcotics detective found with cocaine in his desk in October 2024,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'Was he ever drug tested? What is the policy when that happens?' Chadwick wrote in response that the incident was fully investigated by the police department's internal affairs bureau, which never drug tested the detective. 'No, the officer was not drug tested because he was not under the influence and there was no reason to test him,' Chadwick said. 'This was an unfortunate oversight from an officer who works long hours for our department. In addition, he is part of the narcotics unit, which is subject to random drug tests throughout the year per policy.' The narcotics detective was described by Chadwick as never failing a random drug test to the best of her knowledge. On Feb. 5, Garcia-Vause outlined a list of concerns she wanted addressed by Chadwick which ranged from OIS procedure to internal complaints. The city manager ended the email with a series of explanations of how different she would be from former city manager Richard Derick. 'I am hearing many of the same complaints, including – favoritism in promotions and specialized assignments, inconsistent or unfair discipline, inconsistent policy applications or ignoring policy altogether, and a culture of retaliation,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'Just to name a few.' 'Make an appointment': Henderson city manager dodges questions about fired police chief Garcia-Vause drew parallels for Chadwick from a speech she watched delivered by LVMPD Deputy Chief Sasha Larkin in which she talked about how she wished she did more after leaving the scene of a battered woman, explaining she didn't 'close the loop.' 'You communicated to me that you do not feel supported by me,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'Please do not misunderstand my concerns and desire to improve the operations and culture of the department as a lack of support. To the contrary, I am invested in ensuring that Henderson has the best police department in the state.' The city manager explained that as part of her effort to implement operational change and cultural reforms, she would place retired police chief Kristen Ziman to work with Chadwick on a daily basis to determine how to improve Chadwick's efforts. 'To be successful in leading the changes,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'I need you to refrain from immediately getting defensive when I ask questions or whenever a problem is brought to your attention.' 'This is exciting and I look forward to meeting Kristen and collaborating for her,' Chadwick wrote in response. On Feb. 6, Chadwick responded to a request from Henderson Councilwoman Monica Larson regarding an inmate, J. Chrusch. She apologized to Larson for not responding within the 48 hours required and enforced by state law. 'My apologies that this notification is beyond the 48 hours,' Chadwick wrote. 'I take full responsibility and moving forward it will not happen again.' On Dec. 2, 2024, the City of Henderson Police Department received a public records request from the Las Vegas Review-Journal seeking names and other information for ICE detainees. Nine days later, the LVRJ allegedly received full names, inmate IDs, booking and release dates of ICE inmates during the requested timeframe. Garcia-Vause wrote in an email that she found the release to be 'problematic,' citing a law that she alleged barred Henderson from releasing any such material. 'ICE detainees cannot be treated the same as our other inmates,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'Different laws apply, and we are under different obligations pursuant to our contract with ICE.' But the concern grew when Henderson was contacted by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department about the LVRJ story. 'Metro contacted us to inquire why we would release information about our ICE detainees when the law prohibits us from doing so,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'I do not appreciate these types of surprises.' Following the release of information to the LVRJ, Garcia-Vause ramped up conversations to merge the police department's public information office (PIO) with the city's office. 'It is important that the City speak to the public with one voice and deliver a consistent message to members of the media and other community stakeholders,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'Having a department PIO division outside of the City's Public Information Office is inefficient and leads to inconsistencies.' Garcia-Vause asked Chadwick to write up a draft of a transition plan for handing over all responsibilities to the city. Chadwick wrote in response that she was meeting with city communication director Karina Milani on Feb. 10 to discuss and identify a transition plan. On Feb. 6, Garcia-Vause and other city staff discussed the best way to solve a 'jail breach' at the detention center on Water Street by an unnamed inmate. 'All gates were secured,' Chadwick wrote. 'He was able to slide thru the razor wire and slide down. As soon as he got to the ground by the maintenance area the cameras spotted him and he was taken into custody.' Some staff suggested an improvement be made to the wall or the maintenance gates which would include razor wire. Garcia-Vause wrote she would need to see how the razor wire looked given it can be seen from Water Street. Chadwick also characterized the razor wire as a possible 'eye sore.' 'I'm interested in hearing more about the gates and whether or not they were secured,' Garcia-Vause wrote. Ultimately, a police captain at the detention center suggested a series of fixes, including raising the wall height and setting up a temporary chain link fence, but added the security addition would be an 'eyesore.' Garcia-Vause emailed Chadwick to clarify what happened during an Oct. 27, 2023, officer-involved shooting. The incident, at the 2300 block of N. Green Valley Pkwy, resulted in Chadwick taking two involved police officers off-site to a fire station. 'Will you please clarify the policy or procedure that governs this,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'It has been stated that there were no body cams, or witnesses with you and that the two officers did not do their PBT (Preliminary Breath Test), nor were they drug tested or counted down before leaving the scene to use the restroom.' Chadwick emailed Garcia-Vause back that she was checking on the two officers who indicated they needed to use the restroom. The police chief noted the investigative units were not on scene yet, and the overall investigation could take hours. 'I made the decision to have them get in my vehicle and | took them to the nearest fire station, which was two blocks down the street,' she wrote. 'We were there approximately five minutes. We all walked in, they used the restroom, and we responded back to the scene.' The officers' body cameras were taken to download video from the incident prior to leaving the scene, according to Chadwick. 'This OIS (officer involved shooting) was investigated fully and there were no issues with their PBT results, drug test, or count down,' Chadwick wrote. 'To indicate otherwise is to discredit the integrity of the two officers involved in this critical incident and has zero merit.' Chadwick wrote that there were plans to purchase a motorhome for critical incidents so officers could use facilities. Garcia-Vause emailed Chadwick to explain what the response was after a June 2024 SWAT Team retreat in Utah saw a senior officer passing an unsealed alcoholic beverage to a less senior officer. Garcia-Vause emailed Chadwick asking her to explain the department's response regarding a senior officer who passed an unsealed alcoholic beverage to a less senior officer at a June 2024 SWAT Team retreat in Utah. 'This incident was fully investigated by our Internal Affairs Bureau while adhering to the officers NRS rights and their collective bargaining agreement,' Chadwick wrote. 'Officers did receive discipline, accepted the discipline, and continue to learn from their mistakes and move forward in a positive direction.' Garcia-Vause wrote that she found it unacceptable that Chadwick and members of the police command team were not attending celebrations involving the city council and city executive staff. 'Showing up for elected officials and colleagues shows respect and builds trust,' Garcia-Vause wrote. One of the celebrations which the police department did not appear to attend, according to Garcia-Vause, was a party held for an outgoing councilman. 'It was not acceptable that neither you nor anyone from your Command Team was present for the retirement celebration of Councilman Shaw,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'Absolutely,' Chadwick wrote in response. 'Now that we know the expectations, we will ensure a presence at all these events.' The retirement topic shifted into apparent favoritism for specific police staff. One example included by Garcia-Vause included a special retirement gun purchased by a deputy chief (DC). 'Deputy Chief Boucher used his position and City email to request his subordinates donate to a retiring lieutenant who was a personal friend of his,' Garcia-Vause wrote. 'The department does not request donations to purchase gifts for all retiring officers, so Deputy Chief Boucher's email gave the perception of favoritism.' 'I have spoke with HR and DC Boucher and he understands that he will not use city email again for this type of request,' Chadwick wrote in response. 'DC Boucher did confirm he did not use any city purchasing power for the retirement gift.' In an email sent to Garcia-Vause, a Henderson Police Department retired sergeant wrote that they were the victim of continual workplace harassment supported by Chadwick. 'My retirement was a direct result of continual workplace harassment that was supported by Police Chief Hollie Chadwick,' the retired sergeant wrote. The retired sergeant alleged that they were the lead investigator who completed a 'DUI cover-up investigation.' 'Chief Chadwick inexplicably sustained the involved Officers with low level discipline even though the investigative report established that significant Officer misconduct occurred,' the retired sergeant wrote. 'The Officers involved met the threshold in our disciplinary matrix where they should have all been placed on a Brady list for untruthfulness and terminated.' Chadwick and the deputy chief were claimed to have turned a blind eye to significant misconduct and allegedly accused internal affairs of an excessive overreach. 'That could be the furthest from the truth,' the retired sergeant wrote. 'Yet it was fully supported by Chief Chadwick when she was asked to explain the decisions she made.' The email to Garcia-Vause ends with accusations of corruption and poor management, which the retired chief asks to be investigated. 'I am sincerely sorry you had to endure the workplace environment you described,' Garcia-Vause wrote in response. 'I would like to know more about the incident you shared and your experiences in the police department.' Garcia-Vause thanked the retired sergeant by email and wrote that she looked forward to meeting them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Henderson appoints LVMPD deputy chief as new police chief
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Henderson's city manager announced the appointment of Reggie Rader, a deputy chief with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, as its new chief of police at a news conference Wednesday. The city manager, Stephanie Garcia-Vause, fired Rader's predecessor, Hollie Chadwick, in March. In an exclusive interview with the 8 News Now Investigators, Chadwick – who is now running against the incumbent Michelle Romero in the 2026 mayoral election – insists that Romero pushed her out of the city's top law enforcement position after less than two years. Ex-Henderson police chief blames mayor for abrupt dismissal, announces bid to run against her Rader was appointed as police chief after a relatively brief search. In April, Garcia-Vause announced she would complete the search for a new chief by summertime. 'We conducted an extensive and deliberate search to find the right leader to guide our police department into its next chapter,' Garcia-Vause said. 'Reggie brings a notable combination of professional excellence, deep community roots, and a long-term vision for Henderson's public safety. We're confident in his ability to bring our policing services to the next level.' Rader has nearly 30 years of experience in public safety and community policing across Southern Nevada. He started as a volunteer explorer with LVMPD and then rose through the ranks to his current role as LVMPD deputy chief of the Homeland Security Division. As deputy chief of the Homeland Security Division, he leads more than 400 sworn and civilian personnel and oversees critical areas, including the Office of Community Engagement, the Homeless Outreach Team, the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, crime analytics, event planning, and more. Throughout his time with LVMPD, Rader also served as deputy chief of the East Patrol Services Division, captain of the Organizational Development Bureau, captain of the Southeast Area Command and detective, sergeant, and lieutenant of the gang unit and other specialized units. In 2016 Rader was awarded the highest law enforcement honor, The Medal of Valor. Rader was a long-time member of the LVMPD Honor Guard, recognized with several Exemplary Service Awards and was instrumental in establishing the Incident Command System following the 1 October mass shooting. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University and is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police. Rader is a proud Green Valley High School graduate and a longtime Henderson resident. 'I'm honored to serve the City where I grew up,' Rader said. 'This department is filled with dedicated professionals who care deeply about their work and the community. My goal is to support them fully, lead with transparency, and ensure we set next-level standards in policing. I look forward to collaborating with our officers, union leadership, City leadership, and the community.' Rader is expected to begin Monday, July 7 and an Oath of Office ceremony is set to take place during a special Henderson City Council meeting on July 15. Henderson begins hiring process for new police chief; decision expected by summer Chadwick's immediate replacement, acting Chief Itzhak Henn, announced his retirement four weeks ago. The city, in a written statement, told the 8 News Now Investigators that it anticipated Henn's retirement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Henderson Mayor counters calls for transparency amid launching re-election bid
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — From the Water Street Farmers Market to the White House, Mayor Michelle Romero has had a hand in Henderson's three decades of progress but now she faces her next test—re-election. Romero, a Henderson native, can trace her work in city government back to 1999 with her help in the opening of the Water Street Farmers Market and later the Super Run Car Show alongside business leaders. By 2007, she worked for the Henderson Redevelopment Agency and continued efforts to grow the city's residential and commercial capacities. Following a term as a Henderson Ward I councilmember, Romero was elected mayor in June 2022 and said she hopes residents look to her voting record to maintain rural neighborhoods, protect businesses, and support public safety. She acknowledged Henderson, along with other cities, is facing a tighter budget amid an initial $10 million deficit. 'We started with that, we were actually able to address it very quickly,' she said. 'And our tentative budget that we approved a couple of weeks ago, there's no deficit.' During an 8 News Politics Now interview, Romero addressed the city manager's decision to fire the police chief, her legal action against another councilmember's 'spurious rumors,' and what transparency means. On Feb. 14, Henderson City Manager Stephanie Garcia-Vause made the decision to place the then-police chief, Hollie Chadwick, on leave. Garcia-Vause said she and Chadwick had differing leadership styles and declined to provide further explanation. The departure has been at the center of numerous calls for more information regarding the decision, but both Garcia-Vause and Romero said residents are not entitled to employee information, citing city policy. 'We don't talk about personnel issues,' Romero said. 'That's not fair to the employee.' Romero said the departure is not indicative of any discord between the city and the police department. 'The city police department is wonderful,' she said. 'They keep us one of the safest cities in America, and it's because of the hard work of the men and women in that department. Changes at the top don't really affect their job, and don't affect impact their ability to do their job well, and so it really has no bearing, one way or the other, on operations at the city, or how we view how we move forward.' Amid Garcia-Vause's decision to fire Chadwick, dismiss a police volunteer, and cancel city some 'Morning Meet ups,' Romero said she supports the city manager's decisions. 'I support the city manager in her right to do that, and I have full faith that she didn't do it arbitrarily, that she followed the appropriate processes,' Romero said. 'She values our employees very much. She's not afraid to make a hard decision if that's what's best for the city. And I have faith in her ability to do that.' Following the announcement of the interim police chief Itzhak Henn's retirement, Romero faces the chance of a new police chief becoming the fourth person in the position in two months. 'We knew going in that the acting chief was going to be retiring very soon,' she said. 'We knew that was happening. It wasn't a surprise. And I think it will be very close to, if there's any gap at all, it'll be very close to when he retires and we have a new chief in place.' Distrust between Romero and Henderson Councilwoman Carrie Cox has reached a boiling point inside City Hall amid recent legal action. On Jan. 7, the law firm Pisanelli Bice served a cease and desist to Cox on behalf of Romero. The purpose: to stop the spread of alleged rumors of an extra-marital affair, according to a copy of the letter 8 News Now obtained. 'I had people, both in person and written statements from a multitude of people that notified me of the things that she was saying,' Romero said. 'My attorney has letter, after letter, after letter from people. Some of them I don't even know. Some of them inside city hall. Some of them outside city hall that wrote to me and said we were approached by her.' Romero said she has a strong relationship with her husband, whom she met almost 40 years ago in school. 'We are high school sweethearts,' she said. 'We have a rock-solid relationship, and anytime anybody tries to infringe upon that or make it look bad; I will take action against it.' Cox told 8 News Now she denies spreading rumors about Romero and claims she had no knowledge of what spurred the cease and desist. 'It was completely unnecessary, and I don't know what the motivation was,' Romero said. The cease and desist is one of multiple 'made-for-TV' moments the city council has experienced. An abrupt call for recess and a plea for 'transparency' have posed tense moments for elected officials. 'I think generally speaking, we have really strong relationships with each other,' Romero said. 'At the council level, we try to focus on the work. Whenever there are issues at a council meeting, sometimes passions get high. People feel very strongly one way or the other.' Romero said she views her role as mayor is to course correct during the meetings and keep the focus on the agenda and residents' interests. 'If we need to take a recess and let people cool down, that's what we'll do,' she said. 'Doesn't mean that there's chaos, you know, people like to portray that there is, you know, all kinds of chaos going on. That's not what's happening.' Romero said the criticism of the city's transparency is not factoring in the multiple opportunities residents have to get to know their elected officials. 'I believe we are one of the most transparent governments out there,' she said. 'We regularly hold meetings, informal meetings with our residents. We have coffee with the council. We have meetups with the mayor. We have quarterly meetings where we allow the residents to come and ask anything that's on their minds, and we answer their questions right there.' 8 News Now staff attend the public morning meetings regularly and have been told by city public information officers not to directly quote elected officials or ask questions for reporting purposes at the 'Morning Meetups' and instead request statements through the communication office. City staff previously defended the meetings as an opportunity for specifically Henderson residents to be provided with access to their elected officials. 'I have had questions from reporters at morning meetups regularly,' Romero said. 'And I answer them on a regular basis.' Romero said that between the city's public records portal and quick reply to residents at 'Morning Meetups ups' the city is a leader in transparency. 'If we've heard something that's popping up, traffic or something like that. We try to focus on that, but at the end, we still allow questions and answers that are free flow,' she said. When it opened in 1998, The Reserve was a hotspot hotel and casino for Henderson residents, later becoming the Fiesta Henderson in 2001. In Mar. 2020, Station Casinos closed the Fiesta Henderson property due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The casino and hotel property never reopened, and its land was later purchased by the city for $32 million using city redevelopment agency funds. Woodbury Corporation entered into a negotiating agreement with Henderson on the Fiesta site in 2024, only for it to end inconclusively. 'They were asking for more than we were willing to give to a private project,' Romero said. 'And so we let the exclusive negotiation expire.' Romero said the end of talks with Woodbury is not indicative of no plan, instead pointing to other proposals they have received. 'We will come forward again with a proposal,' she said. 'But we're not going to irresponsibly spend public dollars on a project that we don't think gains the public benefit to that degree.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
