Oversight of Metro Police called into question

By Joe Schoenmann

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 | 2 a.m.

As Metro this week memorialized the life of Officer Milburn Beitel III, who died after an on-duty crash, some county commissioners wondered whether it’s time for elected officials to exercise more oversight of the police department and have a greater say in policies governing its officers.

For nearly 30 years what oversight there has been has come from Metro’s Fiscal Affairs Committee, which consists of two county commissioners, two Las Vegas City Council members, and one private citizen. But for as much money as the two entities contribute — Metro’s $549 million budget is funded by Clark County (about 60 percent) and Las Vegas (about 40 percent) — they appear to have little say, or choose to say little, about how the department is run.

The monthly Fiscal Affairs Committee meetings largely involve budget oversight. They fly by with few questions from the board, except newcomer Steve Sisolak, one of the County Commission representatives.

A “rubber stamp” is how former Fiscal Affairs member and Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani characterized the board’s actions in relation to Metro. “We were never asked what we wanted on the agenda (of meetings), so we were always reacting and never were asked to be part of the solution or discussion,” she said.

Some current and former members of the board say that should change. The recent accidents involving Metro officers — including two fatal crashes in five months — highlight that there are situations and department policy that could benefit from outside review.

The department began reviewing driving policies after another officer, James Manor, died in a crash in May. Manor was traveling at over 100 mph before the collision.

“I have great respect for the department and what they do,” Sisolak said. “I think the sheriff and everyone is doing the best they can and are aware of the problem that exists with these accidents ... but I think it would be helpful to get a more independent set of eyes to look at the problem and offer assistance.”

Some officers have told him they don’t like to wear seat belts because they slow their exits from squad cars. “Why isn’t something like that addressed?” he said.

This year state Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, with the assistance of Giunchigliani, introduced a bill to increase county and city representation on the board while giving board members more oversight.

Metro fought it and the bill failed.

Sheriff Doug Gillespie testified before the Senate Committee on Government Affairs in April, saying that three audits since 1981 had found the department was a “lean, well-run, efficient” organization. “If something is not broken, do not interfere with it,” he said.

Opponents of expanded oversight of the department note that it’s run by the sheriff, who is elected. If the public is unhappy with Metro, it can change the department’s direction by voting him out.

Giunchigliani said she still wants to see county and city elected officials have a greater say in the department’s policy.

“It doesn’t mean we change policies,” she said. “But if Fiscal Affairs deals with policy issues, then the representatives can carry those ideas back to the (County Commission and City Council) — make it more of a partnership instead of just saying, ‘Oh, that’s not done on Fiscal Affairs.’ ”

Sisolak said he’s hopeful Gillespie will ask Fiscal Affairs for input on how the department should address its recent string of accidents.

“It’s a real tragedy,” he said. “I’m sure the sheriff is going to come up with something. And I hope we have a part in that solution.”