Staffing Shortage Plagues Nevada State Troopers Amid Rising Traffic Concerns
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) — Nevada’s highway patrol is grappling with a critical staffing shortage, with only 50 troopers responsible for monitoring Las Vegas Valley’s two million residents. This alarming situation poses serious public safety risks as traffic accidents rise.
Dan Gordon, a state trooper and president of the Nevada Police Union, voiced his concerns, noting that the absence of law enforcement on the roads contributes to reckless driving. With inadequate representation in rural areas, he remarked that encountering a trooper feels as unlikely as seeing "Sasquatch riding a unicorn."
The Nevada State Police is facing a 45% vacancy rate, needing to hire 191 more troopers out of an authorized 392. Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, the vacancy situation worsened recently, prompting criticism from state lawmakers like Senator Robin Titus.
Gordon highlighted that other law enforcement agencies offer more competitive salaries—making it difficult to attract talent. While the legislature approved a 23% pay raise for the Highway Patrol in 2023, the pay gap is widening again. With budget discussions still underway, the future of salary increases for troopers remains uncertain, raising ongoing concerns for public safety in Nevada.
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