LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The top law enforcement official in Las Vegas is endorsing a Justice Department probe of police practices days after officers fatally shot a troubled and unarmed Gulf War
veteran.
Clark County Sheriff Douglas Gillespie said Thursday that lots of large police departments face questions about officers and use of force. He says any input from an outside source with law
enforcement expertise would be good.
"I have always said that any input from an outside entity, with expertise in law enforcement, is a good thing," Gillespie said. "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."
Justice Department officials in Washington didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Gillespie is the elected official in charge of Las Vegas police.
He's faced criticism in recent weeks about the number of deadly police shootings in Las Vegas.
Community groups have suggested that Metro be part of the U.S. Department of Justice Patterns and Practice Program that is currently active in at least 17 other cities.
The NAACP and ACLU called this week for independent investigations after Stanley Gibson became the 12th person slain by police this year.
Gillespie said that many large police departments deal with controversy over use of force issues.
"The truth is, we have implemented a lot of changes here that the DOJ has suggested in other cities undergoing this review process," he said. "But if more innovative methods come from this, everyone will benefit."
Community groups have suggested that Metro be part of the U.S. Department of Justice Patterns and Practice Program that is currently active in at least 17 other cities.
The NAACP and ACLU are questioning the department’s use of deadly force after this week's fatal shooting of an unarmed veteran, whose troubles were learning more about this morning.
Stanley Gibson, a 43-year-old gulf war veteran, was battling severe posttraumatic stress disorder and was seeking help through the Veterans’ healthcare system. Fellow veterans say Gibson came across cordial, stress free, and friendly. But around October, Gibson stopped attending meetings, and they say something about him changed.
A federal indictment describes his reaction when he found out his VA benefits were being reduced. It says Gibson verbalized his anger towards a doctor saying quote "As soon as you take me out of these handcuffs I'm going to kill that doctor."
Gibson pleaded guilty to Assaulting a federal employee and disorderly conduct. He was going to be sentenced in February.
His wife, Rondah, admits he was struggling, but says it was only because he was so sick. Fellow veteran Bill Aubry says he understands what Gibson was dealing with.
