City manager says report on deconsolidation not completed

Monday, Sept. 27, 1999 | 5:04 a.m.

Las Vegas City Manager Virginia Valentine says she is amazed at the flap over a proposal to break up the Metropolitan Police Department and won't rush to complete a study addressing the issue.

Valentine made her comment Monday after returning from a two-week vacation out of the country.

"I was amazed to get back and find out about the furor that has occurred when the study is in progress and no conclusions have been reached," Valentine said.

The report is to be completed by city staff in a couple of weeks, Valentine said, adding "I don't intend to rush them just to respond to the media frenzy."

She also criticized Metro officials, saying they had attacked the city "for daring to conduct a study."

Noting that law enforcement is the biggest item in the city budget, she said it would be "irresponsible to not conduct an analysis of law enforcement spending."

The city manager said Metro "does a fine job," but added, "that is not the issue."

"The study is to determine if the city can do it more cost effectively while improving service and accountability," Valentine said.

The study was instigated after Mayor Oscar Goodman asked that every department be reviewed "to see if costs could be reduced and service improved."

Word of the study was leaked earlier this month by City Councilman Michael McDonald, a former Metro officer and critic of Sheriff Jerry Keller.

The report is expected to suggest that the city of Las Vegas could save millions of dollars by forming its own police department. The Metro department was formed 27 years ago when the Las Vegas police department was consolidated with the Clark County Sheriff's office. The consolidated department serves Las Vegas and most unincorporated areas of Clark County.

Keller contends the breakup would be a major mistake, citing department efficiency and decreased crime rates under Metro.