Editorial: Civilian police panel needs independence

Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999 | 10:08 a.m.

For years now, some residents in the Las Vegas Valley have sought the creation of an independent board to investigate complaints against Metro Police. The Clark County Commission approved an ordinance in April that would establish such a review board, but the Las Vegas City Council has yet to come to an agreement with the county on its formation.

Last week Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman repeated his belief that the composition of a civilian review board should be changed. Goodman said that an elected official, such as himself, should serve as director of the board to ensure public accountability.

What Goodman fails to acknowledge, though, is that there already is accountability. Ultimately the oversight of the Metro Police Department rests with Sheriff Jerry Keller, who is elected directly by the voters of Clark County. Unlike Goodman, who serves residents living within Las Vegas city limits, Keller has a larger constituency, which includes both city residents and those who live in unincorporated Clark County.

In addition, as supporters of the civilian review board have noted before, adding an elected official to the panel that would make its recommendations to Keller could unduly politicize the process. Such a scenario could jeopardize the independence of the panel, whose mission is to investigate complaints without interference by police or government officials.