County hit with suit from park police officers over dangers

Jace Radke

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 | 9:52 a.m.

Clark County Park Police officers filed suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court against the county, alleging that they are put in dangerous situations because of a lack of equipment, training and manpower.

The plaintiffs, identified in the suit as 15 park police officers, state in the complaint that the county has failed to correct obvious deficiencies in the department.

The suit alleges that the county has failed to provide radio communication equipment, a properly trained and manned dispatch facility and enough manpower for effective and safe coverage of the parks in the officer's jurisdiction.

The suit further alleges that in April of 2002 that officers found surveillance equipment in the men's locker room facilities at the park police building, 2901 E. Sunset Road.

"Plantiffs contend that the defendant authorized the use of the surveillance equipment for unknown reasons or to gather information during union contract negotiations," the complaint states.

The camera was torn down shortly after being discovered, and Metro Police are investigating who installed the device.

The suit asks for an injunction to force the county to provide the functions, facilities and other requirements for basic work safety. The suit further asks for general damages, special damages, punitive damages and damages for pain and suffering all for an amount to be determined at trial.