As the city of Las Vegas continues grappling with the oversight of its police force, Clark County is actively seeking civically-minded individuals willing to take on the weighty responsibility of monitoring law enforcement behavior. In a push for accountability and transparency, applications are now being accepted for open positions on the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Citizen Review Board. According to a press release from the county, this board functions as a critical checkpoint, examining complaints and Internal Affairs' investigations lodged against Metro Police officers.
Volunteers who desire to hold the shield of justice against potential abuses should note that serving on the board is neither a paid endeavor nor a task for the halfhearted, with a hefty chunk of mandatory training looming before they can deliberate on cases. Convened in groups of five, board members review complaints on a rotating basis over six months, ensuring a fresh perspective with each new panel convened. These sessions, lasting roughly three hours, occur one to two times a month during business hours, bespeaking a need for a flexible weekday schedule.
The composition of the Citizen Review Board is deliberately structured to prevent conflicts of interest and to maintain impartiality. Open to residents of unincorporated Clark County or the City of Las Vegas, the eligibility criteria stipulate that applicants must not tote a felony conviction in their past. Politicians in office and the immediate relatives of present or former Metro Police officers are, unsurprisingly, excluded from consideration. Members selected commit to an unpaid, voluntary three-year term, with their appointments in the hands of Clark County Commissioners and members of Metro’s Fiscal Affairs Committee.
Before diving headfirst into examining police conduct, chosen board members embark on a rigorous indoctrination into the world of law enforcement. The extensive 70 hours of groundwork includes a 10-hour police ride along, a 12-week Citizen Police Academy, a jailhouse tour, and a smattering of orientation and ongoing training sessions.
