Washoe County Sheriff assumes oversight of Reno Police Department

“This morning, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office accepted the City of Reno’s request to assume interim oversight of the Reno Police Department following the placement of Chief (Kathryn) Nance on administrative leave,” according to a statement by Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam.

“From this point forward, our focus is clear: protect public safety, maintain security, and ensure all residents of Washoe County experience no interruption in law enforcement and public safety services.

“The men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe deserve our strong support. For the foreseeable future, we will stand behind them in a combined effort to protect the citizens of our community.

“I have been in consultation with Governor Lombardo and Las Vegas Metro Sheriff McMahill to ensure this transition is seamless, coordinated, and focused on the continuity of public safety services in Washoe County.

“As sheriff, I look forward to working closely with the mayor and the entire Reno City Council to ensure the City of Reno remains safe and secure during this interim.”

According to News4, “Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance was placed on leave at noon Monday, along with five other Reno police officers, as a state-led investigation into potential misconduct gets underway … ‘Public safety and maintaining the trust of our community are our highest priorities,’ said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. ‘When concerns are raised involving leadership in the Reno Police Department, it is our responsibility to address them thoughtfully and transparently while ensuring the safety of our residents.’”