15-02-2025
Nearly half of Nevada trooper positions remain vacant: ‘More dangerous roads for everyone'
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nearly half of all Nevada State Police trooper positions are vacant two years after the Legislature worked to solve the staffing crisis and as leadership warns open positions are affecting safety.
For decades, Nevada State Police have struggled to keep up with pay from local police departments and retirement benefits. In 2022, there were times when just three or four troopers were patrolling the entire Las Vegas valley at night, the 8 News Now Investigators reported that year.
Around that time, state police reported a 50% vacancy rate in the Las Vegas area. A presentation given to the Nevada Legislature in 2021 included these startling statements: 'Most highways are not covered on graveyard,' 'Highway patrol may get to the point where they must turn away certain calls for service,' and 'Response time to calls for service will continue to increase.'
Leaders with the Department of Public Safety, which oversees Nevada State Police, presented their proposed budgets for the next two fiscal years to a joint legislative committee Friday. During the presentation, representatives from the departments said staff remains a critical issue.
'Fewer troopers means slower response times, fewer impaired drivers stopped, faster speeds, deadlier crashes and more dangerous roads for everyone,' Lt. Col. Martin Mleczko said.
In 2023, the Nevada Legislature increased state police pay to better align with other agencies. However, an increase in the percentage state employees will have to pay into the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) starting in July will offset these raises, the union representing state police warned.
'Our law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to keep our state safe,' Nevada Police Union president Dan Gordon said. 'It's imperative that our legislators take immediate action to ensure that the retirement system does not become a financial burden on these dedicated public servants. We expect proactive involvement and innovative solutions from our lawmakers to address this urgent issue.'
A chart shown to lawmakers during the committee meeting Friday revealed highway patrol substations in parts of rural Nevada have no staff. The 8 News Now Investigators first reported on this lack of staff three years ago.
The staffing shortage comes as death on Nevada's roads continues to rise. In 2023, Nevada reported 1.4 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled versus the national average of 1.26, according to the department.
Leadership at the Department of Public Safety noted recruitment efforts over the past year have been successful, adding recruits tended to favor parole and probation over patrol.
For the first time since 2017, more people joined the department than separated, leadership said.
The 8 News Now Investigators will explore this issue throughout February. 8 News Now Investigator David Charns can be reached at dcharns@
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