NLV agrees to arbitration over police officers’ firings

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 9:05 a.m.

After fighting with the city for two years, two former North Las Vegas Police officers will be granted arbitration over their firings.

The city has conceded to District Judge Gene Porter's July 11 order that the city grant the arbitration within 60 days. The city and North Las Vegas Police Officers Association petitioned the state Supreme Court in September against the ruling, but have yet to hear back.

City Attorney Sean McGowan said the city has offered arbitration because without a Supreme Court ruling, Porter's order is technically in effect.

"We view it as a compliance issue with Judge Porter's order, not withstanding our disagreement with the basis for the order," he said.

The former officers' battle with the city, police department and the union dates back to the 1990s.

Former Officers Mike Thomas and John Armstrong were fired twice by the North Las Vegas Police Department -- the last time in 1998.

Both men slapped the city and police union with a lawsuit demanding an independent hearing over their firings, but the union maintains that its collective bargaining agreement does not mandate arbitration.

McGowan has contacted the former officers' attorney, and both will pick names from a list of arbitrators before proceeding with the hearing.

The city and union will also attend a mandatory settlement hearing Nov. 21.

According to a memo sent by the city attorney's office, the city has spent $100,000 to fight both men, although the total does not include arbitration amounts for Armstrong.

Whether the high court comes back with a ruling before the arbitration or a settlement is finalized, McGowan said it is in everyone's interest to get the issue resolved.

"We are all looking for solutions to bring some finality to this," he said.