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Sheriff Doug Gillespie addresses reporters during a news conference at Metro Police Headquarters Monday, December 12, 2011. Gillespie called the news conference after a Metro Police officer shot and killed a man early this morning at a condominium complex in the northwest valley. .
By Aida Ahmed 
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 | 7:58 p.m.
Investigation continues in Metro shooting
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KSNV coverage of the ongoing investigation into the Metro Police shooting of Stanley Gibson, Dec. 14, 2011.
Sun archives
- Police ID officers involved in shooting of Gulf War vet (Dec. 14, 2011)
- Sheriff says man shot by officer unarmed, ‘tough questions’ will be asked (Dec. 12, 2011)
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Douglas Gillespie said he supports a U.S. Department of Justice inquiry into the police department’s practices less than a week after an unarmed African-American veteran was shot and killed by officers. The shooting was the 18th officer-involved shooting in Metro’s jurisdiction this year.
In a press release Thursday Gillespie said he encourages the Department of Justice Patterns and Practice Program that is currently active in at least 17 other cities.
“I have always said that any input from an outside entity, with expertise in law enforcement, is a good thing,” Gillespie said in the release. “If they want to see how we do business and review the various systems we have in place, from preventative training to investigating cases involving officer’s use of deadly force, we welcome that. I do not see that as an adversarial process.”
Monday’s officer-involved shooting of Stanley Gibson, a Gulf War vet who was, according to his wife Rhonda, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and brain cancer, prompted some community groups to call for a review of Metro’s practices by the Department of Justice.
A Metro spokesman said it is unclear what prompted officers to shoot Gibson, who was unarmed and in a car that was pinned between at least two unoccupied patrol cars at the time.
Rondha Gibson said her husband had been unable to get his medication to control his anxiety and that he called her in a state of confusion Sunday night, thinking he was home while he was at the neighboring condominium complex. She also said Metro was supposed to have him under a three-day psychiatric watch this past weekend, but police have not confirmed that.
Officer Jesus Arevalo, officer Malik Grego-Smith, Sgt. Michael Hnatuick and Lt. David Dockendorf were involved in the shooting, which happened near Smoke Ranch Road and Rainbow Boulevard, police said.
Police have not said how many officers actually fired their weapons.
Police said Arevalo, 34, has worked at the department since February 2002; Grego-Smith, 31, since August 2008; Hnatuick, 45, since September 1988; and Dockendorf, 40, since July 1998.
Arevalo, Grego-Smith and Hnatuick are assigned to the Northwest Area Command patrol division. Dockendorf is with the Bolden Area Command patrol division.
The press release stares Metro uses “scenario and reality-based training methods to teach officers ways to de-escalate situations and avoid high-risk incidents.”
“The truth is, we have implemented a lot of changes here that the Department of Justice has suggested in other cities undergoing this review process,” Gillespie said. “But if more innovative methods come from this, everyone will benefit.”
Yeah, everyone wants a federal investigation on their operation.. NOT!
Dude, seriously? How do you say that with a straight face when you have to answer for Yant falsifying paperwork, the cop with Officer Manor who lied about lights and sirens, and Mendiola shooting the Costco guy in the back, before giving a gun to a felon for fixing his car?
If I had to answer for that, and more, I would NOT be welcoming a fed investigation. I hate to quote Judge Judy, but she says, " If it doesn't make sense, it's probably a lie." Sometimes she's right. This is bravado from Doug, and nothing more.
What else was he going to say? If an investigation is opened, I bet he will be sweating the bullets these cops used to kill unarmed, non-threatening, victims of Metro.
I really hope and pray that the Justice Department steps in soon. Next year the numbers could double from 12 shootings (so far, the year isn't finished) to 24 or more. I actually think Metro tries to break their records of police shooting every year.
I, again, support the police that actually do their job correctly and respect their commitment, but the bad apple are really making them ALL look bad.
There was a letter to the editor in the other paper today from a Mr. Sloan. In his letter, Mr. Sloan indicated that he and his wife were in their 40's and went for walks every evening. The other day, they both were more concerned with being stopped by Metro than they were about being mugged. That is a sad and telling commentary about the feelings of the citizens of Las Vegas towards Metro. I think we have a PROBLEM.
Race doesn't seem to be the motivation of the police misconduct. It seems like the only color the cops are concerned with protecting is the color blue. Metro simple treats everyone who isn't a cop shabbily.
In my opinion, weeding out the bad apples within Metro's ranks has to come from within. The day when there's a "civil war" mentality within that department will be a good day for this city, but we all know that it's NEVER going to happen. Too many tinpot dictators with way too much power. So it's up to the citizens to keep exposing this crap.
You should install cameras in your homes, in your cars and on your person. A bright spotlight is equivalent to Kryptonite for criminals of all stripes!
The Justice Department?
What kind of justice can be expected from an agency which remains idle during the sadistic employment of detainee torture?
If all homicides committed by Metro are indeed "justified" -- than explain how "justice" is occasionally derived by awarding settlement payments to family members of those victimized?
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