“Our membership has lost confidence in Governor Sisolak to address the record-high shortages of state police, which leaves our residents and visitors less safe. For the safety of all Nevadans, a leadership change is critically needed,” said Dan Gordon, NPU president. “Sheriff Lombardo is the most qualified and committed candidate to address state police turnover, vacancy rates, and poor working conditions and that is why he has earned NPU’s endorsement for Nevada governor.”
The Nevada Police Union has continuously sounded the alarm on pay inequity and poor working conditions that have caused record-high turnover and vacancy rates of state police, which leaves Nevadans and tourists less safe. To-date, Governor Sisolak has failed to address Nevada’s critical public safety needs. The shortages have become so alarming that U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s office authored a memo on October 6 that provided guidance to the governor’s office to use federal funds to provide support to Nevada law enforcement.
Senator Cortez Masto added, “Nevada state law enforcement officers are paid 35% less than other officers, and they were hit especially hard during the pandemic. They need our help, and that’s why I fully support their push to be made whole from their pandemic sacrifices through American Rescue Plan funding. That’s exactly what these federal dollars were designed to support.”
Even still, Governor Sisolak dismissed the memo and ignored the issue.
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Nevada Police Union,” added Sheriff Lombardo. “Steve Sisolak’s reckless mismanagement and abandonment of the Nevada State Police are unacceptable. As a direct result of Sisolak’s failures with the Nevada State Police, 2021 was the deadliest year on Nevada roads in 14 years, and our roads are now some of the most dangerous in the entire country. As governor, I’m ready to give the Nevada State Police the wages and respect they deserve, which have been missing for far too long. I’ve dedicated my career to Nevada law enforcement, and I will never abandon my fellow law enforcement officers as governor.”
Not only has Governor Sisolak taken no action to address pay inequity, the state exacerbated the issue by increasing employee costs on state police. Along with the endorsement of Sheriff Lombardo for Nevada Governor, the failures of Governor Sisolak recently lead to a ‘vote of no confidence’ by the NPU membership.
Former Senator Dean Heller added, “Every state employee should take notice of this endorsement and how important it is for all state employees to join the Nevada Police Union in supporting Joe Lombardo for Governor.”
Sheriff Lombardo for Nevada Governor joins a list with 25 other candidates that have been endorsed by NPU. Those endorsements include: Joe Lombardo for Governor, Stavros Anthony for Lieutenant Governor, Zach Conine for State Treasurer, Cisco Aguilar for Secretary of State, Catherine Cortez Masto for U.S. Senate, Edgar Flores for State Senate District 2, Lisa Krasner for State Senate District 16, Dr. Robin Titus for State Senate District 17, Daniele Monroe-Moreno for Assembly District 1, Selena Torres for Assembly District 3, Steven Yeager for Assembly District 9, Rochelle Nguyen Assembly District 10, Brian Hibbetts for Assembly District 13, Howard Watts for Assembly District 15, Toby Yurek for Assembly District 19, Ruben D’Silva for Assembly District 28, PK O’Neil for Assembly District 40, Tracy Brown-May for Assembly District 42, Melissa Hardy for Assembly District 22, Sam Kumar for Assembly District 25, Gregory Hafen for Assembly District 36, Joe Rodriguez for Washoe County School Board, Ray Spencer for Las Vegas City Council, Jay Kenny for Reno City Council, Justin Jones for Clark County Commission, and Deborah Westbrook for Court of Appeals.
About the Nevada Police Union
The Nevada Police Union provides for the protection and well-being of Nevada’s peace officers and public safety employees through representation in matters related to compensation, benefits, and working conditions to ensure our communities receive the highest level of service. Established in 1972 and unionized in 2020, the Nevada Police Union includes highway patrol troopers, parole and probation officers, fire marshals, detectives, game wardens, park rangers, university police, capitol police, agricultural police, dispatchers, and retired state police. To learn more about the Nevada Police Union, please visit nevadapoliceunion.com.
