LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Henderson’s metropolis supervisor mentioned firing former police chief Hollie Chadwick was her resolution however in any other case dodged the 8 Information Now Investigators’ questions and supplied an as-yet-unscheduled appointment to debate the matter additional.
Stephanie Garcia-Vause, sworn in as metropolis supervisor in December 2024, turned down a number of requests for an in-person, on-camera interview since she fired Chadwick on March 6. Chadwick, who took town’s high legislation enforcement job in Might 2023, refused town’s demand she resign and Garcia-Vause fired her. She mentioned in a press release, ” … the decision was not based upon any finding of specific misconduct by chief Chadwick, and it is not considered a separation for ’cause.'”
However past that assertion, Garcia-Vause has mentioned little to nothing publicly about Chadwick or the seek for a brand new police chief. Folks talking at public remark within the Feb. 18, 2025, Henderson Metropolis Council assembly demanded transparency.
“The city manager can’t look us in the face,” one speaker instructed the council.
She added: “For this woman to come in here and do what you did, after one month. Karma will come.”
However earlier than Karma got here, the 8 Information Now Investigators discovered Garcia-Vause Thursday on her means right into a police awards ceremony.
A number of the change between the 8 Information Now Investigators and Garcia-Vause are as follows:
8NN Investigators: Why is there such secrecy across the police division?
Garcia-Vause: There is no secrecy.
8NN Investigators: Why did you hearth the chief?
Garcia-Vause: Um, the chief is an at-will worker.
8NN Investigators: What did she do?
Garcia-Vause: There is no, no factor to speak about proper now.
8NN Investigators: Nicely, no, … she left, there’s been so many chiefs in so few years. So why?
Garcia-Vause: I recognize it.
8NN Investigators: We simply need some solutions.
Garcia-Vause: I recognize that, and I might love to speak to you. I am simply on my means into an occasion.
8NN Investigators: Who’s making the choices within the metropolis? You?
Garcia-Vause: Thanks a lot. I recognize your time.
8NN Investigators: Had been you employed to fireplace the chief?
Garcia-Vause: No. I am employed to be town supervisor.
Chadwick, whose lawyer additionally didn’t reply to eight Information Now’s request for an interview, lowered crime charges in Henderson within the quick time she was chief of police, info obtained by the 8 Information Now Investigators reveals. Particularly, crimes in opposition to the individual — usually consisting of such offenses as homicide, assault, battery, kidnapping — went down over 4% between 2023 and 2024, nationwide information present. And property crimes — usually consisting of such offenses as theft, housebreaking, arson — went down greater than 12.5% in the identical time interval.
Town has not responded to a request made after Thursday’s interview to talk on digital camera, in individual, with Garcia-Vause and Mayor Michelle Romero, regardless of repeated presents for the 8 Information Now Investigators to schedule a gathering along with her assistant saying, “I’d love to have the opportunity to talk to you more.”
