The city of Henderson, Nevada, expects to resolve employment issues with its Police Chief LaTesha Watson within a week. Watson was placed on unpaid leave last month.
Related: Henderson Police Chief on Admin Leave Possibly Due to Exploring Changing the Use of Force Policy
Watson was hired to reform the department after her predecessor left due to claims of sexual harassment.
After publicly speaking of reforming how officer involved shootings would be investigated, she began having problems with her subordinates. Many of them filed complaints that resulted in an investigation that recommended the city dismiss her.
The city wanted Watson to sign a letter of resignation, which included language that Watson would not disparage the city and she refused.
In Virgina, the states first African-American police chief says she too was forced to resign from her department.
Related: Virginia’s first black female police chief says she was forced to resign
Henderson Mayor Debra March is catching heat for campaign expenditures, which included a trip to Panama. Due to the scrutiny of the Las Vegas Review Journal, March repaid her campaign approx. $2,000.
Related: Henderson Mayor Debra March repays campaign for Panama trip
It has yet to be determined if the law firm that recommended firing Watson has ties to the city council via campaign contributions. In the city of Inglewood, the law firm of Harris and Associates is charged with dismissing employees who cross Mayor Butts. Harris and Associates have contributed thousands of dollars to the mayor and Councilman Ralph Franklin, which could make their recommendations of terminating employees biased, in order to retain their city contracts.
