Civilian review panels gain Senate committee OK

Thursday, March 13, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In a surprise unanimous vote, the Republican-controlled Senate Government Affairs Committee ignored Metro Police's objections and recommended creation of civilian review boards.

The bill approved Wednesday would allow cities and counties to create the review boards, with subpoena power, to look into allegations of police misconduct. They would not have disciplinary power.

"I never expected a unanimous vote," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Joe Neal, D-Las Vegas, who tried twice unsuccessfully in the past to get similar measures approved.

Neal said the bill is sailing this time because of the case of Metro Officer Ron Mortensen, accused of the Dec. 28 drive-by shooting death of Daniel Mendoza in December.

"That was a wake-up call for a lot of people," Neal said.

He said the bill not only has support from Hispanic, black and Asian groups but he's getting letters and calls from whites who feel they have been abused by police.

Lt. Stan Olsen of Metro asked the committee to delete the subpoena powers, saying the district attorney or the FBI could help the committee if it ever needs that authority.

Olsen complained that the bill looks like a "police control board, not a review board." But Neal said the board would only examine police conduct.

Olsen said oversight already exists, with a Use-of-Force Board, the Civil Service Board that can overturn or increase discipline on officers, and the Fiscal Affairs Committee that oversees the police department's budget.

Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, countered, "If they're doing things right, then you don't have to worry about oversight."

He said Las Vegas, now troubled by gangs and other major problems, was different in the 1970s when he was an officer.

"I think the police department needs some oversight," he said.

Neal said the civilian review board would be able to operate outside the "good old boy network" that he said controls the police agency.

Neal said he expects a unanimous vote of the full Senate because Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, and Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, who sit on the Government Affairs Committee, voted for Senate Bill 39.

Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, has introduced a similar bill in the other house.