Former Secret Service agent to head up security for Las Vegas courts

By Dave Toplikar

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011 | 1:29 p.m.

A man who formerly served as the Secret Service officer in charge of protecting U.S. presidents traveling through Nevada will soon head up the security team at the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas.

Douglas Coombs will begin his role Sept. 6 as court security administrator at the RJC.

“The Regional Justice Center is a very important facility that serves a crucial function in the community,” Coombs said in prepared remarks. “I look forward to using the knowledge and skills I’ve gained protecting key figures and facilities in government and private industry, to oversee the day-to-day security operations of such a prolific facility.”

Located at 200 Lewis Ave., the RJC averages around 5,000 visitors a day who must pass through security screenings, which includes removing material from their pockets and removing all footwear and belts and going through scanning devices.

The office tower houses facilities for the Nevada Supreme Court, the Eighth Judicial District Court, the Las Vegas Township Justice Court and the Las Vegas Municipal Court. Because of recent incidents of violence locally and around the country, courts and other public facilities have stepped up their security.

“Protecting the public and those who work at the courts is a top priority at the Regional Justice Center,” Clark County District Court Chief Judge Jennifer Togliatti said in prepared remarks. “The new court security administrator rounds out the experience and talent needed to meet the ever-increasing security challenges of an extremely busy courthouse.”

Coombs served more than 23 years with the Secret Service, including a post as the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office, where he ran security for visits by presidents, vice presidents and heads of state to Nevada. He also spent six years in the private protection field.

Coombs is a graduate of Boston State College and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado.

Coombs will report to the court security director who is responsible for managing the security for the Clark County courts, including the RJC, Family Court, Clark Place, the Phoenix building and the Flamingo campus.