Las Vegas Police Use of Force Policy

Public Safety Nevada 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Nevada

In Las Vegas, Nevada the primary policies that govern police use of force are issued and administered by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). This article explains how LVMPD documents and enforces use-of-force rules, where to find complaint procedures, and practical steps for reporting incidents and pursuing review. It summarizes internal oversight, typical administrative and criminal pathways, and action items for civilians and advocates who need to file complaints or request records. Where official pages do not publish numeric sanctions or timelines, the text notes that fact and points to the LVMPD oversight contacts for verification.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of use-of-force policy in Las Vegas is primarily administrative through LVMPD internal affairs and oversight processes; criminal referral to the Clark County District Attorney may follow if evidence suggests criminal conduct. Official LVMPD materials describe policy, reporting, and review processes, but do not list fixed fine amounts for individual use-of-force violations on the publicly posted policy page. For specific disciplinary outcomes, the department refers to internal disciplinary procedures and collective bargaining agreements where applicable.[2]

  • Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Criminal charges: handled by the Clark County District Attorney when alleged conduct may violate Nevada law; amounts or statutory fines vary by charge and are not listed on the LVMPD policy page.
  • Administrative sanctions: suspension, demotion, termination, retraining, or written reprimand may be imposed per department procedures; specific ranges are not published on the public policy page.
  • Evidence and records: use-of-force reports, body-worn camera footage, and internal review records are handled under LVMPD records rules and Nevada public records law; access requests follow published records procedures.
  • Appeals and review: disciplinary appeal routes depend on employment rules, union contracts, and civil processes; time limits for lodging appeals are not specified on the cited LVMPD public pages.
Administrative and criminal pathways are distinct: internal discipline does not preclude criminal charges.

Applications & Forms

To file a complaint or request records, LVMPD provides complaint and records request procedures via its oversight and records units. The publicly available pages describe submission methods and contact points but do not publish a standardized use-of-force appeal form or fixed fees for appeals. For records requests, standard public-records forms or online portals apply per LVMPD instructions.

  • Complaint form: see LVMPD complaint/IA contact page for submission options (in person, mail, or online where available).[2]
  • Oversight contact: internal affairs or civilian oversight office contact details are published on LVMPD pages.
  • Deadlines: specific appeal or filing deadlines are not specified on the publicly posted policy page; contact the unit listed for exact time limits.
If you believe a crime occurred, simultaneously preserve evidence and contact the appropriate prosecuting authority.

How-To

  1. Preserve evidence: document names, badge numbers, vehicle identifiers, photos and video if safe.
  2. Submit a complaint to LVMPD Internal Affairs or the civilian oversight unit by the published methods on the LVMPD site.
  3. File a public records request for body-worn camera footage and reports if necessary.
  4. If you suspect criminal conduct, contact the Clark County District Attorney to request review or to inquire about filing a criminal complaint.
  5. Consider legal counsel early to understand civil remedies and timelines for filing claims.

FAQ

How do I file a use-of-force complaint against an officer?
File a complaint with LVMPD Internal Affairs or the civilian oversight body following the contact and submission options on the LVMPD site; preserve evidence and include names, dates, and locations.
Can I request body-worn camera footage?
Yes—file a public records request per LVMPD instructions; some footage may be withheld under statutory exemptions or pending investigations.
Will the officer face criminal charges automatically?
No—administrative review is separate from criminal prosecution; the Clark County District Attorney decides on criminal charges based on evidence.

Key Takeaways

  • LVMPD governs use-of-force policy and internal discipline; criminal referral goes to the county DA.
  • Public pages outline procedures but often do not list fixed fines or exact appeal timeframes.
  • Preserve evidence and contact oversight or prosecuting authorities promptly to protect rights and timelines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - Use of Force policy and guidance
  2. [2] Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - Internal Affairs / complaint procedures

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