Keller pleads case for more Metro officers

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, March 7, 2002 | 10:05 a.m.

Metro Police need more than 200 officers to keep up with growth, Sheriff Jerry Keller told the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday, but he would settle for an extra 75.

In his first public presentation on the department's proposed budget for the next fiscal year, the sheriff presented a request that represented a 9 percent increase over last year. It would boost the city's contribution to $88 million, up from $81 million last year.

Because Metro is funded by the city of Las Vegas and Clark County, Keller acknowledged that the governments are feeling a budget crunch and funds for more than 200 officers may be unrealistic, Keller said.

The funding increase would allow Metro to hire 75 additional officers for patrol and traffic, 30 additional dispatchers, 36 cadet officers and 36 civilians.

The report was informational only for city officials, who are preparing a budget for the 2002-03 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Keller is expected to make a similar request for funding before the Clark County Commission.

Based on 2001 population statistics, the ratios of officers per 1,000 residents is 1.77, under the national standard of 1.97 officers per 1,000 residents, he said. An additional 233 officers would be needed to bring the ratio to the national standard.

The events of Sept. 11 have continued to put a strain on Metro, with 10 additional officers assigned to McCarran International Airport. At least 25 officers have been called into active military duty, he added.