Las Vegas Metro Police

Don’t know if this is the right precinct or not and no real way to know but metro is metro I guess. A couple of weeks ago we had some vandalism — broken store front glass. Took hours for someone to respond and then she wouldn’t even file a report. Damage was about $ 2000 and we needed the report for an insurance claim. It was quite obvious she didn’t feel it was worth her time. I didn’t stress on it too much.
Then today I got pulled over for not having a rear license plate. The temp tag was displayed in the window properly and everything was legal. The officer approached the car like we had just robbed a bank. HANDS ON THE WHEEL! ROLL ALL 4 WINDOWS DOWN! WHO ELSE IS IN THE CAR?! Wow. I seriously thought it was gonna get ugly when the rear windows wouldn’t roll down. After checking everything out he returned to the car and said «I’m gonna let you go with a warning.» I asked «A warning for what? What did I do wrong?» He replied I had done nothing wrong and everything was fine. He just chose the wrong words. WTF?!
It kind of seemed like it was his first day on the job so the other person in the car thinks we should cut him some slack. But this wasn’t an issue of job skills or practice. This was control. If this officer is a rookie, I’d be concerned his aggressive demeanor is only going to grow into a power trip. The officer with him who approached the passenger side was much nicer and more professional. If he is training the first guy I hope he instills the concept of treating people with respect.
I understand and appreciate the role law enforcement plays in society. My dad was chief of police when I was a child. I also understand the impact of overzealous police frightening law abiding citizens while not having time to take reports on property crimes.
I’ve been pulled over 7 times now during the 4 years I’ve been in Las Vegas. I’ve only been pulled over 4 times during the other 38 years of my life in other places. None of those 7 stops resulted in a ticket. 7 stops in 4 years with no violations seems like a lot to me. It feels invasive. And during those same 4 years, I’ve called needing assistance 3 times — vandalism and a break in — none of those instances resulted in a report being filed. I thought possession was ⁹⁄₁₀^th of the law? Something doesn’t feel right here. Priorities seem to be off a little. I’d like to feel protected rather than frightened when I interact with law enforcement but it hasn’t turned out that way in Las Vegas.

Let me begin by saying my feelings for the police department have always been rather neutral. Like anyone else, I have been stopped by police once or twice for speeding and there have been moments where I have spared and let go with a warning, and one or two occasions where I have been issued a ticket. Either way, I am not one to take things personally when stopped or confronted by police for a any reason. As the grandchild of a retired police officer, I have enough common sense to know that it is best to respect other people, particularly those in a position of authority.
On 3/​20, as I proceeded to my car after work, I noticed several police cars, fire trucks and an ambulance truck surrounding the street where my car just happened to be parked. As officers began to block off the street with tape, I approached an officer who kindly told me I would «have to wait a while». I overheard the officers describing the incident as a possible «leak» of some sort so I waited patiently on the corner of the street.
I would like to point out that this incident occurred in downtown in the Arts District which is not the ideal place to walk around to kill time, but since police officers had surrounded a whole perimeter, I figured I could take a walk around the block and hoped things would clear up soon enough.
Halfway around the block, I approached another group of officers and told them I was unable to get to my car. One of them took the initiative, communicated over his radio, and reassured me that they would allow me to exit. Without hesitation I proceeded to where my stroll began.
When I arrived, another officer who was quite friendly, asked me «How are your backing out skills?» (At this point, I was not willing to test my skills by trying to avoid hitting a fire truck and a few police cars surrounding my car… I am no Steve McQueen… lol). When I told him honestly, «Well, not great,» I was pleasantly surprised when he offered to back it out for me. After handing him the keys, I waited patiently at the corner for my car to arrive.
On a serious note, it was Friday, I was anxious to pick up my daughter from practice and a bit frantic over the possibility of not being able to pick her up on time. So, hats off to Metro and the officers who helped me out!
Ave

I can only speak for myself, but my very limited contacts with the men and women of the LVMPD have always been friendly and positive. Maybe that’s because I have never been «in trouble» with them, and have contacted them only as «a victim.»
When my moped was stolen, over 10 years ago, someone got the serial number wrong and my bike went unnoticed at «Quality Towing» for many weeks, racking up (literally!) HUNDREDS of dollars in daily accumulated storage fees.
Well, one day an LVMPD officer telephoned me and said, «Sir, your bike was found, but because of some clerical error, the serial number was entered incorrectly into one of the computer programs, and we just now found it. But because the error was in no way your fault, WE WILL PAY ALL OF THE STORAGE FEES FOR YOU. You should pick up your bike immediately, because we can’t pay any storage fees, after this date.»
How’s THAT for both KINDNESS & COMPASSION? I got my moped recovered, and it didn’t cost me anything.
A few years later, a LVMPD detective (as I recall) was having some legal problems, being sued by a citizen. I had followed the officer’s case very closely (both in the Press and by talking to some LVMPD buddies behind the scenes). I was convinced that the officer was being treated unfairly, and that he wasn’t at all guilty of the charges against him.
I got him a Hallmark® greeting card that said something like, «Hang in there. You have folks who CARE about you!» then mailed it to him c/​o his department, along with a large ca$h enclosure that read, «This is NOT for you; it is for your LEGAL FEES.»
He sent me a very kind «Thank you!» note which read, «When total strangers whom I am sworn to protect (like you) send me something to help me with my legal expenses, it lets me know that what I am doing for everyone IS WORTH IT.»
Most folks don’t realize what PEACE officers endure, to make our streets safe, and you only hear about those who die «in action,» or are charged with corruption. The HEROES and Medal of Valor officers are buried on «Page 12,» near the new furniture ads.
These folks EARN their pay, and whenever I see one or more of them in a diner taking «10 – 7,» I walk over to their table, introduce myself and say, «Thanks for risking your life for me.»
As was said on a TV show, over 40 years ago, «Whatever we pay them, it is ‘NEVER ENOUGH’.»

I feel pretty safe in Las Vegas and a big reason for that is LVMP, here’s why:
— They’re pretty fast to respond. The few times I’ve had to call them, they were there within minutes.
— They’re thorough with their reports. They ask the right questions and make sure they get your version of the story right when you file a complaint with them.
— They care about the community. There has been many times where I’ve seen them advise people rather than arrest or cite them when it’s a minor civil argument or misunderstanding. They do so in a calm manner… it only gets ugly when the people involved become disrespectful.
The only complaint I have about them is that they have way too many speed traps. I’d rather see them spend more time getting rid of the gangbangers and taggers that have come to Vegas from other cities.
Overall, I think they do a great job and don’t get recognized as often as they should from the community. Thanks Metro for keeping our city safe!