Metro Police committee approves funds for management consultant

Stephen Curran

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 | 8:39 a.m.

The Metro Police Fiscal Affairs Committee on Monday set aside $144,000 from the department's general fund for a Las Vegas consulting firm hired to teach leadership skills to mid-level officers.

The decision to hire the Institute for Executive Development for Management Consulting Services, a private company contracted by both public and private entities to guide up-and-coming management personnel, came as Metro leadership is banking on a sales tax increase to offset the cost of hiring more officers.

The committee, composed of five Las Vegas and county officials who oversee the department's finances, unanimously approved the six-figure contract during a brief meeting at the County Government Center.

Consultants are expected to teach a series of classes and workshops for mid- and upper-level officers tapped for future advancement, Karen Keller, executive director of finance, said.

"It's not just one class," Keller said. "They (the officers) are given a lot of direction. It truly is a development opportunity for our officers."

Courses include seminars in leadership development and feedback sessions for lower-level officers, Keller said.

Undersheriff Doug Gillespie, who briefly addressed the committee, said the department had contracted with the institute for the past three years. Last year, 120 lieutenants and captains went through the individually tailored courses, he said.

"This is a very involved scope of work this company does with us," he said. "It's not just providing us with a few hours of training."

Calls to the Institute for Executive Development's office on Flamingo Road were not returned Monday afternoon. The firm consists primarily of Frank Culley, a commercial management consultant who teaches the courses himself, Keller said.

Money used to pay Culley's fee has been set aside for several years as part of the department's annual budget, Keller said.

In other action the committee: