Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

ASK MR. SUN:

How does the Nevada Highway Patrol’s staffing compare with other states’?

Sun Topics

Mr. Sun, I’m from California and I used to see a lot more California Highway Patrol officers on the freeways there than I do here. How does the Nevada Highway Patrol’s staffing compare with other states’? — T. Wayne

It’s not your imagination. Nevada has fewer troopers on the road than its biggest neighbors, according to policepay.net.

In 2006 the law enforcement research Web site reported that the Silver State had 0.147 troopers per 1,000 state residents. By comparison, California had 0.175 troopers per 1,000 residents and Arizona had 0.167. In 2006 Nevada had 294 officers; California, 5,810; and Arizona, 840.

Some in the Nevada Highway Patrol say lawmakers have been unwilling to take on the long-term cost of a bigger force. Department officials have also complained they have difficulty keeping troopers in Southern Nevada because Metro Police and the Henderson and North Las Vegas police departments pay more than the state.

Questions for Mr. Sun should be sent to [email protected].

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