Government briefs for March 10, 2004

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 9:11 a.m.

NLV police start Taser training

North Las Vegas Police began department-wide Taser training Tuesday, a police spokesman said.

The police department began limited testing of the Tasers about five months ago. In January the City Council voted to spend $98,000 to buy 100 Tasers for the department.

The nonlethal Tasers use a strong electric shock to incapacitate those hit with it.

Police Chief Mark Paresi has said the Tasers worked well during the testing period, and said Tasers increase safety for suspects and the officers.

In January Paresi said he expected all city patrol officers to be equipped with a Taser by mid-May.

State employment chief selected

A woman who has worked in a number of jobs in state government has been named administrator of the state Division of Employment Security, which handles paying benefits to the jobless and trying to find employment for people out of work.

Cindy Jones will succeed Birgit Baker in the $88,456-a-year job on April 5, when Baker moves up to director of the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The appointment was announced Tuesday by Myla Florence, who is retiring as director of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Jones, 40, has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Reno.

The Boulder City Council

agreed Tuesday to extend Cassidy and Associates' contract to lobby for the city in Washington for another year. The city pays $60,000 a year for the service.