Review board dispute centers on authority

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000 | 11:34 a.m.

The Metro Police citizens review board, which was approved almost a year ago, is expected to be assembled as soon as Clark County and Las Vegas officials can agree on who has the power to fire the executive director.

After heated discussions concerning the review board ordinance, which brought protests from residents, police and the American Civil Liberties Union, the final task appears to be simple.

But that might not be the case.

Clark County commissioners and Las Vegas City Council members have been squabbling over who has authority to fire the executive director of the review board for months.

The ordinance and interlocal agreement say both entities have equal say in the hiring of the executive director, who will oversee the 25-member board. But much to the city's chagrin, the county has sole firing authority.

The Las Vegas City Council declined to put their final approval on the board until it has equal say in the termination of the director. The council is expected to pass a resolution today to give the city proper authority and set a public hearing.

On Tuesday, the commission set a public hearing for Jan. 18 to discuss the matter. But Commissioner Erin Kenny hinted at her thoughts toward the city's proposal.

"It's nonsensical," she said, adding that too many people involved in the process would only bog it down.

Commissioner Myrna Williams, however, favored the city's position, saying that the executive director couldn't be terminated simply because a county official or city official has a problem with the administrator.

"This has languished for sometime," said Williams, clearly agitated that the review board has yet to be assembled. "If one person doesn't like someone, they shouldn't have the right to terminate them."