Police chief named in NLV

North Las Vegas has a new police chief.

Joseph Forti, former deputy chief in command of detention and corrections for the Police Department, has been named the city's top lawman.

He replaces Mark Paresi, who was relieved of duty in late October under what are still somewhat murky circumstances.

Forti, who joined the force in 1980, has been working as North Las Vegas's acting chief since February. His annual salary will be $151,405.

"I'm very excited," Forti, 53, said Wednesday. "I started as a patrolman 28 years ago and have moved my way up through the ranks."

Forti said he will focus on improving the department's crime "solvability" rates by adding detectives and creating a swing shift detective squad.

City officials have refused to say much about Paresi's departure, calling it a "separation" from the city's ranks.

But during a March 19 special City Council meeting, officials hinted at problems under Paresi and spoke as if Forti had already been named the city's permanent chief.

Councilwoman Shari Buck said she wasn't happy with the answer "the previous chief" gave her on the question of crime in North Las Vegas.

"The answer I got was 'We're doing everything we can,' " she said. "I wasn't satisfied with that answer."

Buck also said she feels "so much more hopeful" and advised Forti to meet often with rank and file officers.

"They never knew the other chief," she said.

Councilman William Robinson told Forti: "I knew all along you could do the job."

Insiders have said Paresi, who led the department for more than five years, never fit in with the department's culture. He was criticized for bringing in outside staff to fill a top position rather than hiring from within the force.