Henderson Residents Support Embattled Police Chief, 1,400 Signatures on Sympathetic Petition

Posted on: February 19, 2025, 06:08h. 

Last updated on: February 20, 2025, 10:23h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

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• Members of the public defend Henderson police chief
• Over 1,400 signatures were placed on a petition to reinstate her
• Chief Hollie Chadwick is on leave until March 6

Many Henderson, Nev. residents are throwing their support behind the city’s police chief who recently was placed on leave.

More than 1,400 signatures were added to a petition that calls for Police Chief Hollie Chadwick to be reinstated and a city council meeting on Tuesday night turned into a debate over her remaining on the job.

One resident at the meeting was quoted by Las Vegas TV station KSNV, “I am unhappy that Chief Chadwick — the way it was announced, the way it’s been handled. It’s been inappropriate personally and unfair to the community.”

Chief Improved Department

Another resident told council members, “Under her leadership, morale improved. Chief Chadwick set up an office to assist officers with their career progression. She pushed that further out to where it was already going. She pushed forward with the city’s lifeline program to provide mental and emotional health connections for officers. All of this was done to provide the premier police service to the citizens of Henderson.”

Henderson Councilwoman Carrie Cox called for transparency by city officials.

This is a sad day for Henderson and leadership is not about agendas, control or power,” Cox added. “I am concerned that the ramifications for this decision have not been properly considered, and I am concerned how this will affect our department and our officers.”

Chadwick is on leave until March 6. At that point, she can either take a buyout from the city or she could be fired, according to news reports.

There were reports that she had run-ins with leadership of the local police union. A local police labor group, the Henderson Police Supervisor Association (HPSA), claimed Chadwick was “union busting” and was guilty of an “unfair labor practice.”

City Manager Defended

Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero said the decision to place the police chief on leave by Henderson City Manager Stephanie Garcia-Vause “did not come lightly,” Las Vegas TV station KVVU reported.

“Despite our personal feelings as council members, we must refrain from interfering in areas outside of our command,” Romero added.

She doesn’t make a decision that is not really looked through. She’s been the city’s assistant city manager … for a very long time before this, she’s had interactions with all, for all of that time. I trust her to make the right decision for the city as a whole and that’s exactly what she’s doing here,” Romero said about Garcia-Vause.

Chadwick was named Henderson police chief on May 1, 2023. She joined the department in August 2002. As she gained more experience, Chadwick was named a training officer and a negotiator. In 2011, she was named a sergeant, and in 2015, was promoted to lieutenant. She was named a captain in 2019.

Itzhak Henn is currently Henderson’s acting police chief.