Metro detective still wants a change at top

David Kihara

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

He's the long shot of long shots.

Gordon Martines, a 32-year veteran of Metro Police, is running for sheriff this year - his second try for the top law enforcement position in Clark County.

If voters "think things are good, I'm not their guy," Martines said.

"I'm banking on the fact that the community can recognize quality. They recognize it in the hotels, the food, the entertainment and the gaming. What they need to do is recognize it in law enforcement."

In his previous race for sheriff in 2002, Martines was one of 10 candidates vying for the position after then-Sheriff Jerry Keller said he wasn't seeking another term.

Martines didn't fare well. He received a little more than 1 percent of the vote - fewer votes, in fact, than the casino worker, real estate agent and artist who were also running for sheriff.

So why would he risk straining his relationships in the department by mounting a challenge against the boss?

"I've got armor that's so thick it's impenetrable," said Martines, 55, who is a detective in Metro's robbery detail.

Martines also served with SWAT and as an undercover officer, among other assignments.

Martines also joined the department more than three decades ago, when there were few Hispanics on the force and ethnic jokes were commonplace.

"My skin is very thick. They can hit me with anything they want to and it won't make a difference," he said.

Martines faces two competitors - current Sheriff Bill Young and Metro Lt. Ron Williams.

Young wasn't available for comment, and Williams has refused to speak to the Las Vegas Sun after it published a story showing he had been previously reprimanded for operating a Metro vehicle while intoxicated. It was an off-duty incident, but Metro gave Williams a 120-hour suspension that Williams disputed.

Martines avoided criticizing Young or Williams, saying that he "won't get into the mud slinging."

He added that he has a lingering fear that running against his boss could come back to haunt him - even if that's not what happened last time.

"I'm surprised I'm not directing traffic under the Bonanza underpass when it's raining," he said.