Police union board pressures director to resign
The Police Protective Association Executive Board is attempting to oust Executive Director Chris Collins from his leadership role in the union, multiple sources confirm.
Collins declined the board’s request Saturday, which was unanimous and gave him until Monday morning to make a decision.
In an interview Sunday, Collins said he was disinclined to resign from a position he’s held seven years in a union in which he’s had officer standing for 13 years. He’s been with the Metropolitan Police Department more than 31 years, including more than a decade with SWAT.
The endorsement of the police union, which represents rank-and-file officers, is coveted in political campaigns. In the 2014 Clark County sheriff’s race the union endorsed Larry Burns over eventual winner Joe Lombardo. More recently, it endorsed incumbent Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman over challenger and former Metro cop Stavros Anthony.
Collins said he’s eligible to retire and has considered ending his career, but thought it unwise to step aside during the current lawmaking session in Carson City that finds organized labor battling to maintain its status in Nevada against a Republican-dominated Legislature.
On Monday, Executive Board Director Scott Nicholas through counsel issued a notice to union members announcing the board’s recommendation to remove Collins from the executive director’s position and in the process filing a complaint for censure, suspension or termination of his membership from the labor organization. An attempt to reach Nicholas late Monday was unsuccessful.
Asked Sunday about the potential for his ouster, Collins said, “I’m proud of the work I’ve done, and I’ll defend that work.”
John L. Smith’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. E-mail him at jsmith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295.
