LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – We often hear how the City of Henderson is the second-safest large city in the United States, and it is only getting bigger.
However, despite the city’s growth, the Henderson Police Department may not have enough officers to keep up.
“Recourses are getting thin. That’s the upsetting part,” said Officer Mike Goodwin, the vice president of the Henderson Police Officers Association.
Goodwin emphasized to FOX5 how the department is low on staffing numbers. FOX5 requested staffing numbers from HPD.
They tell us there are 509 sworn-in officers across all ranks, but have 62 vacancies department wide.
The vacancies include 45 police officers, and 4 corrections officers.
For their dayshift, they have a minimum of at least 18 officers and 28 officers when fully staffed.
Swing shift starts at 21 to 32 officers and graveyard shift is 15 officers at minimum to 25 officers at a maximum staffing level.
“If we have one major event at night, it could be really detrimental if there was a second one to pop off,” Goodwin said.
The shortage comes as the police department is also looking to hire a chief.
Back in March, Chief Hollie Chadwick was let go less than 2 years as the department’s top leader.
Chadwick was with the department for more than two decades and would be the 4th chief to be stripped of their badge since 2017.
FOX5’s Victoria Saha: If there isn’t long term stability coming in the future, what do you think will happen to the officers? What do you think will happen to the future of the Henderson Police Department?
Goodwin: That’s a big question with a million different possibilities. We have young officers. Theoretically, if there was another jurisdiction, lets say half the workload and better pay, some officers are going to find that appealing. Why would they stay here?
FOX5 took a look at the average pay scale through different recruiting sites, out of all our local jurisdictions.
The Henderson Police Department paid lowest with $63,000.
North Las Vegas Police Department’s pay start’s at $70,000 and Metro Police Department’s pay starts at $75,700.
“That one night, if 1 October happens in Henderson, you are going to be thankful that in two to three years we paid all those officers and have those recourses. We can’t depend on the other jurisdictions- its nice to have that,” Goodwin said.
Henderson Police Department also said they have 25 officers graduating in June which should help the staffing numbers.
FOX5 also spoke with Mayor Michelle Romero off camera, and she said she is not too worried about the low staffing numbers as they prioritize quality.
They also have a cadet program for those 18 years and older before they join the academy.
As for the search for the new chief, Romero said they have received 50 applicants and we should know who get the job later this summer.
Have a tip? You can reach Victoria at [email protected].
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