Search for schools police chief narrowed

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 | 9:53 a.m.

The field of candidates for the post of the Clark County School District's chief of police has been narrowed to five finalists, including two veteran officers on the force.

Acting School Police Chief James Ketsaa and School Police Lt. Anthony York both confirmed Tuesday that they had been invited to interview with the selection committee next week. The identities of the other three finalists have not been disclosed.

Ketsaa will start his 15th year with the district in January while York has been on the force since 1990.

Elliot Phelps was fired as school police chief in October after district officials learned he had worked more than four years without the required state certification. A nationwide search for his replacement was launched, with more than 20 applications coming from candidates in 14 states. The job pays about $88,000 annually.

The circumstances surrounding his lack of certification -- and the details of when district officials were made aware of the situation -- have been murky. Phelps said he initially believed his Colorado certification, issued in 1974, had been enough to statisfy the district's requirements. He later completed the classroom hours and physical agility test. Phelps was slated to have his certification approved by the Nevada Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training later this month but district officials told him it was too late to comply.

George Ann Rice, associate superintendent of human resources for the district, said the finalists will be interviewed Dec. 10. The candidates with the highest marks will then meet with Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia, who will make the final selection, Rice said.

Rice declined to disclose the members of the screening committee, except to say they are all district employees.

Phil Gervasi, president of the Clark County School Police Officers Association, said he was disappointed the district had not abided by his request that the district use the same screening committee put in place four years ago to hire Phelps. At that time the panel included three principals and representatives from the Henderson, Metro, North Las Vegas and Boulder City police agencies.

"What does the district have to hide?" asked Gervasi, who suggested at a recent School Board meeeting that the firing of Phelps was part of a larger conspiracy.

The district strengthened both its image and its relationships by including the outside law enforcement agencies, Gervasi said. It also ensured the best candidate was chosen, Gervasi said.

"Civilians don't know the ins and outs of police work or how to judge the strengths and weaknesses of a police chief candidate," Gervasi said.

Ketsaa, who will start his 15th year with the district in January, said Phelps' firing created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the department.

"Everybody's in limbo right now," Ketsaa said. "The most important thing is to get this resolved. Right now we're just holding the ship afloat -- we need to move forward."