A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer assigned to the Southeast Area Command was arrested Thursday on a charge of oppression under color of office, according to court records. The officer, identified in filings as Manuel Ramangmou, appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court, where he posted a $2,000 bond and was released. His next hearing is set for June 18.
Public records so far are light on the details. According to KTNV, the specific allegations behind the charge were not spelled out in the documents made available Thursday. The station reported that it has requested the arrest paperwork and that Metro confirmed Ramangmou is assigned to the Southeast Area Command.
What the Charge Means
Under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 197.200), oppression under color of office covers conduct in which a public officer unlawfully and maliciously arrests or detains someone, seizes property, pushes a person off their land, or otherwise injures a person’s rights while acting under official authority. If physical force or an immediate threat of force is involved, the offense is treated as a Category D felony. Without force, it is charged as a gross misdemeanor.
Local Context
Prosecutors in Clark County have turned to the oppression statute before in cases involving Metro officers. In 2024, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Sergeant Kevin Menon was arrested on multiple counts of oppression during an internal investigation. That and similar cases have put fresh scrutiny on how Metro investigates claims of unlawful detentions and use of force within its own ranks.
Next Steps
Ramangmou is scheduled to return to Las Vegas Justice Court on June 18, a hearing that could deal with preliminary motions or additional filings in the case. Metro has not publicly released more information about the allegations, and KTNV reports that it is still waiting on the arrest records to shed more light on what led to the charge.
