WHEN LAS VEGAS POLICE SHOOT, AND KILL: Union is the only entity standing up for officers

Recently, the Review-Journal published an extensive series of articles on police officer involved shootings, and the intent of those articles is finally clear. In its editorial on Dec. 11, the newspaper reached its conclusion that there is one culprit to blame, and that's the Las Vegas Police Protective Association. Not the criminals, not the gangs, not the armed robbers, not the home invaders and the rapists -- no, the blame lies on the unions because we allegedly are "obstructionist" and "reform-resistant."

I am here to say, unequivocally, that this is nonsense -- and it points to why the LVPPA representation for its member officers is so crucial: because we are the only ones in this community standing up for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect law-abiding residents and tourists and keep our community as safe as we can.

Our officers do not wake up every morning, thinking: "Who am I going to shoot today," but we are mentally prepared to address whatever violent situation we may be forced to confront. Every day, our officers are called into situations that have explosive potential. From domestic disturbances that get out of control to an armed hold-up at a convenience store, our officers must react decisively within mere seconds.

If we are confronted by an individual holding a knife to another's throat, we must presume that he intends to use it. If a suspect brandishes a gun at an officer, we must presume that the gun is loaded and that he will shoot. To presume otherwise will cost lives, and then the public outcry will be: "Why didn't the police act sooner?"

It may come as a surprise to the Review-Journal, but most violent criminals don't want to go to jail, and some will resort to extremes to resist arrest. Some will run, others will fight with clubs and knives, some will use their cars to run us down. Some will shoot, endangering innocent bystanders in the process. Our officers could simply let them flee, let them remain at large and be a continued threat to countless others. And I guarantee, once word is on the street that the police are not willing to confront deadly force with deadly force or that all you have to do is run, then the violent criminals will control the streets.

The Review-Journal report posted the photographs of suspects killed in officer-involved shootings over the past 20 years as if they were innocent victims of some conspiracy. Interviews were conducted with family members lamenting that their children weren't violent and wouldn't hurt anyone. Unfortunately, our jails are filled with such individuals. We sympathize with the families for their loss, but many of these families have a financial interest in adversarial questioning because they are suing the police department and the individual officers.

But where were the interviews with those whose family members have been the victims of violent crimes? Where were the interviews with families where an officer was killed in the line of duty? Where were the interviews of officers whose lives have been shattered because they were wounded by a gun or knife-toting suspect?

Our officers are put into extraordinary circumstances every day with people who have no regard for others' lives, property or safety. When officers respond appropriately to a violent situation, it is always with public safety in mind, and the LVPPA is proud to stand by its members.

The Review-Journal and others have claimed that the LVPPA is obstructionist because it opposes the inquest process. Let the record be quite clear here: the LVPPA encouraged its officers to participate in the previous inquest process where family members had the right to ask questions, through the hearing master, of officers and others giving testimony. In a recent case, more than 1,500 questions were asked and answered using this process. This was fair for all sides.

With the new inquest process, the LVPPA agreed to every change except for the inclusion of an "ombudsman" who, on behalf of the family, would cross-examine and grill officers as if they were criminal suspects themselves. As the first "inquest ombudsman" appointed to represent the family, David Wall is on record stating that the inquest process "is exactly like doing a murder trial." Our officers have told us this is a position that they cannot condone: it will turn the inquest into a media circus and will shift the inquest from a fact-finding hearing into a trial. Our officers deserve better than this, and the LVPPA will stand by them.

The Review-Journal has presented a slanted, one-sided report that was destined to be negative from the beginning. I personally gave a two-hour interview detailing the LVPPA's position covering a variety of issues, but in a five-part series covering 34 newspaper pages, I am quoted once and paraphrased twice for a total of less than 100 words. And for every critical expert cited in the report, there are many more national experts who would argue the opposite. The Review-Journal owes its readers a fair and balanced report; they didn't get it.

What the paper didn't report is that whenever there is an officer-involved shooting, the district attorney immediately evaluates whether there is suspicion of a criminal action on the part of the officer. If such a determination is made, an inquest is never held; the case goes immediately to criminal prosecution. It is understandable, then, that the vast majority of inquest proceedings come back with a justifiable ruling.

With the issue of officer-involved shootings, everyone who has spoken out against the officers has an agenda. And the Review-Journal has an agenda: a demonstrated history of attacking labor and trade unions, particularly those unions who represent government employees like our police officers. How easy it is to just blame the union. Let's not blame the criminals; let's not blame the gangs; let's not blame the rapists and the thugs. Let's blame the union.

Our officers perform a thankless task, every day and night. At the LVPPA, we are proud to stand with them to earn a reasonable wage, to have reasonable expectations of administrative support, and to go home safely to their own families and try to live normal lives. It's not too much to ask.

Chris Collins is executive director of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union that represents rank-and-file Metropolitan Police Department officers.