Henderson police Chief Thedrick Andres announces retirement

Henderson police Chief Thedrick Andres has announced in an internal memo that he is retiring from the department.

In a memo obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Andres said his retirement would be effective Feb. 28.

“My decision to retire now is primarily due to my desire to move closer to my family,” the Thursday memo said.

Andrew Regenbaum, executive director for the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, said he hopes and expects that the Henderson Police Officers and Henderson Police Supervisors associations will be included in the hiring of a new police chief.

“The Henderson police unions have just learned that Chief Andres has tendered his retirement, and I think we all agree that this is in the best interest of the department and the community,” Regenbaum said. “The unions wish the chief well, and we look forward to working together with the city as they transition toward new leadership and healing the department.”

In November, both unions voted no confidence in Andres. The unions presented the vote to the City Council on Nov. 15 during a public comment period. More than 95 percent of their members voted no confidence in Andres.

Andres was sworn in as chief in July 2019. He took over from LaTesha Watson, who was fired from her position as police chief in 2019. Watson filed a lawsuit against the city in September 2020 alleging she faced racial and gender discrimination.

At this time of his hiring, the city said Andres would earn just more than $200,000 as police chief.

In his memo, Andres called the decision to retire bittersweet and thanked the department, city officials, city staff and his family.

“I could not have succeeded on my own; it has always been a team effort! It has been a blessing to work alongside some of the finest professionals in law enforcement,” Andres said in the memo. “As I close this chapter, I am proud of this department and our accomplishments.”

Andres could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

“The city congratulates Chief Andres on his retirement following a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement,” city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said in an email. “Among Chief Andres’ accomplishments while leading the Henderson Police Department are establishing the Henderson Police Cadet Academy, constructing a new west substation and breaking ground on a new forensic crime laboratory.”

Richards said that Deputy Police Chief Michael Blow will lead the department in the interim.

Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @davidwilson_RJ on Twitter.