NLV chief faces DUI charge

      North Las Vegas Chief of Police Alan Nelson was arrested on a drunken driving charge Friday night after he failed sobriety tests during a traffic stop, authorities said.
      Nelson's arrest by Las Vegas patrol officers stunned those close to him.
      "Unfortunately, if they came out tomorrow and said he is not guilty, it wouldn't make any difference to most people," North Las Vegas police Lt. Chris Larotonda said Saturday. "It would still look bad."
      Nelson was arrested on Lone Mountain Road near Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas police Sgt. Will Minor said. The 25-year veteran of the Police Department who was named chief in January 1996 was stopped at 7:10 p.m. after his city-owned car appeared to be swerving in the westbound lanes of Lone Mountain, Minor said.
      "The officer approached the vehicle and he could immediately smell the odor of intoxicating beverages inside the car," Minor said.
      Nelson failed a series of field-sobriety tests before he was arrested at 8 p.m., Minor said. A Breathalyzer test, which is administered to help determine a motorist's blood-alcohol content, also was given to Nelson. Minor said the result of that test would not be released.
      He was booked at the Las Vegas City Jail at 8:20 p.m. and released a short time later. Bail information was not immediately available Saturday.
      Phone calls to Nelson's home were not returned. "Right now we are still kind of in shock in regards to him actually being arrested," North Las Vegas City Council member John Rhodes said. "People make mistakes, but usually you expect a person in such a position of responsibility to do responsible things."
      Rhodes said North Las Vegas City Manager Linda Hinson informed him and other council members of the arrest late Friday. He said he expects the council, Hinson and Mayor James Seastrand will meet Tuesday to discuss Nelson's future. Seastrand did not return phone calls Saturday.
      Larotonda said he talked to Nelson early Saturday and the police chief expressed remorse -- not in reference to guilt or innocence but concerning the negative publicity his arrest will have on the Police Department.
      "He described it as a regrettable situation, and also said he did not ask for any special consideration at the scene, and he is not asking for any special consideration now," Larotonda said.
      Larotonda said if Nelson were convicted of the misdemeanor charge, he could remain on the force. A misdemeanor driving under the influence conviction could carry penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
      Sandy Heverly, who heads the anti-drunken driving organization Stop DUI in the Las Vegas Valley, said Nelson should step down.
      "Our organization has serious concerns about him remaining in that position," she said. "When a person holds that position they are held to a higher standard than others, and they are supposed to be an example not only to the department but also the community."
      Heverly said she met with Nelson a year ago when her organization contributed money to the department for a Breathalyzer 5000 machine.
      Larotonda said members of the force respect Nelson, who is known as a hands-on chief. In an interview with the Review-Journal shortly after he took over from long-time Police Chief Ron Lusch, the Glasgow, Scotland, native described himself as a behind-the-scenes worker.
      "I always wanted to be a police officer even when I was 16 or 17," he said. "It just seemed like it would be something that would never be dull and I'd always look forward to going to work."
      Nelson has been credited as the driving force behind Safe Streets 2000, an initiative North Las Vegas voters approved in November. The plan provides for adding 104 police personnel to the force by July 2000, funded by a property tax increase.
      Nelson served as a deputy chief from 1993 to 1996, overseeing the services command and the detectives bureau.
      "In the 18 years that I've worked here, I've never seen morale any better than it is now," Larotonda said. "He (Nelson) has had a lot to do with that."
      Rhodes said he and other city officials have not often been at odds with the chief.
      "We think he has been doing a pretty competent job handling the Police Department," Rhodes said. "We really have had no major disciplinary problems. This is actually the first time for something like this, and ironically it involves the chief."
      Heverly said the arresting officers should be commended.
      "They deserve a lot of appreciation because ... (they) sent a very strong message to the community," Heverly said. "The message is, it doesn't matter who you are. If you break the law, you're going to jail."