Nevada State Police Reduce 24/7 Coverage due to Staffing Shortages, Says Police Union

NEVADA – The Nevada State Police will no longer provide 24/7 coverage statewide, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Nevada Police Union. The union cited staffing shortages and “record-high turnover and vacancy rates” as the main reasons for the change. Specifically, troopers will no longer be assigned to shifts from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. in the Washoe County, Reno, and Sparks areas.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety acknowledged the staffing, recruitment, and retention challenges facing law enforcement agencies nationwide and said it would monitor and adjust schedules to provide the highest level of public safety services. Union President Dan Gordon stated that the union is working with Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada legislature to address staffing issues within the Department of Public Safety.

State Senator Nicole Cannizzaro, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, accused Republican lawmakers of opposing legislation designed to address the problem. Senate Bill 440, which would grant an immediate 2% raise to all state employees effective April 1st and fund arbitration for back pay owed to state public safety officers, passed the Senate with support from the Nevada Police Union, but all Republican Senators voted against it. As of this report, S.B. 440 had passed the Senate and referred it to the Ways and Means committee for consideration.

Credits: KTNV