LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Management at Nevada State Police have despatched surveys to workers in regards to the division’s “climate” amid a staffing scarcity and low morale, the 8 Information Now Investigators have realized.
The “climate survey” asks staff to answer questions on communication, challenges and the division’s function locally. Particular questions embody: “Does your leadership communicate important information openly and promptly? If not, how do you think this could be improved?” and “Do you believe the current direction of NHP is consistent with the mission and vision? If not, why?”
The division’s chief and second-in-command retired in March and April, elevating questions in regards to the company’s future amid a trooper staffing disaster, the 8 Information Now Investigators first reported. Col. Patrick Conmay retired after 50 years of service in legislation enforcement, a spokesperson confirmed. Lt. Col. Martin Mleczko additionally retired after greater than 20 years of service.
George Togliatti, the director of the Division of Public Security, was main the company. Earlier this month, the division introduced a substitute for its assistant director who was planning to retire in July.
It was not instantly clear why the assistant director place was stuffed earlier than it was vacated alongside two open sworn management positions vacated in March and April.
A letter to workers relating to the local weather survey refers back to the division as “Nevada Highway Patrol,” nevertheless, the division modified its identify to “Nevada State Police” in 2021. Throughout a legislative listening to involving the subject of recruitment, workers stated the transfer was a advertising and marketing instrument. Typically, the division known as each names mixed: “Nevada State Police Highway Patrol,” because it says on the division’s web site.
Each Conmay and Mleczko appeared earlier than committees on the Legislature in February amid the division’s practically 45% trooper emptiness price. As of that month, 218 troopers patrolled statewide. The state funds requires 392 trooper positions, that means nearly half of the workforce is staffed.
The staffing scarcity comes as dying on Nevada’s roads continues to rise. In 2023, Nevada reported 1.4 deaths for each 100 million miles traveled versus the nationwide common of 1.26, in line with the division.
Final Legislative session, lawmakers permitted wage will increase totaling 23% within the first yr and 11% within the second. Beginning in July, the amount of cash state police staff need to put into their state retirement accounts will enhance, erasing positive factors from two years in the past. Amid the pay hole, some rural substations are empty, and on some nights, only a handful of troopers are patrolling your entire Las Vegas valley.
In April, an arbitrator sided with the Nevada Police Union, which represents troopers and different police, recommending 3% wage will increase for the subsequent two years. Nonetheless, the funds Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo submitted earlier this legislative session didn’t embody any wage or cost-of-living will increase, in line with the arbitrator. In an interview with the 8 Information Now Investigators in March, Lombardo speculated the Legislature wouldn’t have the funds for any raises for state staff.
Attorneys for the state and the union, nevertheless, couldn’t agree on potential wage will increase for the subsequent two years. Democrats who management the Legislature have stated there was no room for wage will increase with Lombardo’s funds and anticipated federal cuts.
A spokesperson for the division didn’t return a request for remark in regards to the survey.
Investigator David Charns will be reached at [email protected].
