LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Metro has dismantled its mounted patrol unit after eliminating 112 part-time positions last week. The move is a result of lost revenue coming into the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The unit has been part of the police department since July 31, 1998. Original staffing consisted of two officers, two horses and a sergeant. Today, the unit is home to eight horses and has the funds for four full-time officers, three part-time staffers and a sergeant.
According to a news release, two officers and two part-time staffers will stay on until May 1 to aid with the transfer of the horses to new homes.
Metro says several of the animals will be retired, an d one returned to its original owner.
The Mounted Patrol commissioned officers will be reassigned to patrol officers.
The unit often assisted with crowd control at events like New Years. Bicycle officers will now navigate the crowds on the Strip.
Metro eliminated 112 part-time positions, 103 of which were filled, on April 8.
All employees impacted by the layoffs will be compensated through April 17.
In a statement, officials said coronavirus mitigation efforts will result in “sharp declines in revenue to state and local government, which in turn will force many difficult decisions in the upcoming months.”
Here is a list of the part time positions effected by LVMPD layoffs :
- Part time Service Aide- Patrol
- Part Time Traffic Control Assistant- Traffic
- Part Time Investigative Aide- Forensics, Human Resources, CSI
- Part Time Forensic Lab Assistant- Forensics
- Part time Support Assistant- Finance, Communications, Airport, Homicide/Sex Crimes, Internal Affairs, Community Engagement
- Part time Spanish Interpreter- Support Operations
- Part Time Logistics Support Assistant- Logistics
- Part Time Fleet Operations Support Assistant- Fleet
- Part time Animal Care Specialist- Mounted Unit
- Part time Wrangler- Mounted Unit
- Part Time Investigative Aide- SWAT
- Part time Public Records Coordinator- General Counsel
- Part Time Support Assistant- Gangs/Vice
- Part Time Support Assistant- Records/Fingerprint
- Part Time Sewing Worker- Logistics
- Part Time Polygraph Examiner- Human Resources
But Metro is not the only agency to scale back.
Boulder City Police Department is not paying part-time workers, like school crossing guards and two marshals. The marshals are not working since council, committee and commission meetings have been canceled. The public is not allowed in City Hall.
Henderson does not have plans to eliminate police department positions yet. However, the city and police unions met last month to discuss contract concessions.
The Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers said the city wants flexibility on overtime, turnaround pay and shift changes for officers.
“Henderson has not yet had to suspend any contracts, to my knowledge, and I just checked a little bit ago in preparation for this,” said Rick McCann of the association. “They have not laid anybody off. Albeit, they are doing a hiring freeze right now for non non-essential public safety officers.”
Henderson PD has not implemented the agreed changes yet.
In North Las Vegas, a spokesperson said the police department does not have plans to eliminate positions.
We do not have word on possible cuts to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
