LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Henderson’s metropolis supervisor mentioned firing former police chief Hollie Chadwick was her determination however in any other case dodged the 8 Information Now Investigators’ questions and provided an as-yet-unscheduled appointment to debate the matter additional.
Stephanie Garcia-Vause, sworn in as metropolis supervisor in December 2024, turned down a number of requests for an in-person, on-camera interview since she fired Chadwick on March 6. Chadwick, who took the town’s high legislation enforcement job in Could 2023, refused the town’s demand she resign and Garcia-Vause fired her. She mentioned in a press release, ” … the decision was not based upon any finding of specific misconduct by chief Chadwick, and it is not considered a separation for ’cause.'”
However past that assertion, Garcia-Vause has mentioned little to nothing publicly about Chadwick or the seek for a brand new police chief. Individuals talking at public remark within the Feb. 18, 2025, Henderson Metropolis Council assembly demanded transparency.
“The city manager can’t look us in the face,” one speaker informed the council.
She added: “For this woman to come in here and do what you did, after one month. Karma will come.”
However earlier than Karma got here, the 8 Information Now Investigators discovered Garcia-Vause Thursday on her means right into a police awards ceremony.
Among the trade between the 8 Information Now Investigators and Garcia-Vause are as follows:
8NN Investigators: Why is there such secrecy across the police division?
Garcia-Vause: There isn’t any secrecy.
8NN Investigators: Why did you hearth the chief?
Garcia-Vause: Um, the chief is an at-will worker.
8NN Investigators: What did she do?
Garcia-Vause: There isn’t any, no factor to speak about proper now.
8NN Investigators: Properly, no, … she left, there’s been so many chiefs in so few years. So why?
Garcia-Vause: I respect it.
8NN Investigators: We simply need some solutions.
Garcia-Vause: I respect that, and I would love to speak to you. I am simply on my means into an occasion.
8NN Investigators: Who’s making the choices within the metropolis? You?
Garcia-Vause: Thanks a lot. I respect your time.
8NN Investigators: Had been you employed to fireside the chief?
Garcia-Vause: No. I am employed to be the town supervisor.
Chadwick, whose legal professional additionally didn’t reply to eight Information Now’s request for an interview, lowered crime charges in Henderson within the quick time she was chief of police, data obtained by the 8 Information Now Investigators reveals. Particularly, crimes towards the particular person — typically consisting of such offenses as homicide, assault, battery, kidnapping — went down over 4% between 2023 and 2024, nationwide data present. And property crimes — typically consisting of such offenses as theft, housebreaking, arson — went down greater than 12.5% in the identical time interval.
The town has not responded to a request made after Thursday’s interview to talk on digicam, in particular person, with Garcia-Vause and Mayor Michelle Romero, regardless of repeated presents for the 8 Information Now Investigators to schedule a gathering together with her assistant saying, “I’d love to have the opportunity to talk to you more.”
