HENDERSON (KTNV) — Tensions were running high in Henderson as support grows for embattled Police Chief Hollie Chadwick.
Henderson community members packed Tuesday's city council meeting looking for answers.
“There was an overwhelming amount of support to hire her,” said Thomas Hubert, a retired police officer who shared his concerns with city leaders.
"Shouldn't you at least gauge the pulse of the citizens and the rank and file of the police department?" Hubert asked. "I’d love to hear a reason, but of course, we haven't heard one.”
Sources told us on Feb. 13 that Chadwick was placed on a three-week administrative leave with two options: take a buyout or be fired. City leaders haven't explained why.
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City Councilwoman Carrie Cox has been the only council member to publicly back Chadwick. At Tuesday's meeting, she pointed out the Henderson Police Department has had nine chiefs in the past 20 years and "all but one has been removed or encouraged to leave."
"I am concerned that the ramifications for this decision have not been properly considered, and I'm concerned about the way this will affect our department and our officers," Cox said.
The Henderson Police Supervisors Association filed a complaint against the City and Chief Chadwick, claiming unfair labor practice.
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The complaint centers around allegations that the City and Chadwick unfairly denied union leave requests for HPSA president Lt. Charles Hedrick.
The union says that's a violation of their contract, but the City argues Chadwick has the final say on leave approvals, and the union should have followed the grievance process before filing a lawsuit. Now, the City wants the case to go to arbitration.
I reached out to Andrew Regenbaum, the executive director of the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers.
“The complaint isn’t just about union leave — that’s only one part of it," Regenbaum told me. "It details a pattern of conduct by the chief against the union president, targeting him for exercising his rights to file grievances on behalf of members."
Despite the uncertainty of what happens next, support for Chadwick is growing. An online petition to reinstate her has racked up over 1,500 signatures as of this report.
WATCH: Alyssa Bethencourt follows up after the City of Henderson abruptly canceled scheduled meetups for council members and constituents, citing public safety concerns.
