Nevada panel backs funding to expand Sisolak's security team
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A state panel has endorsed an agency's request for funding to expand Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak's security team.
The Board of Examiners' vote Tuesday forwards the Department of Public Safety's request for $373,051 to the the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
The department wants to expand Sisolak's security detail to eight positions by adding a sergeant and two officers.
A department memo cited “various national threat alerts" and referenced two incidents in which Sisolak and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo were separately accosted and verbally attacked in public.
“Recently our own state experienced verbal attacks on elected officials in a public place,” the memo stated. “A recent assessment of the Dignitary Protection operation by the Capital Police Chief revealed the need for expanding the protective team. With this being an election year, the need for stronger protective services is critical to protect Governor and First Family.”
Sisolak, a Democrat, is running for re-election this year, while Lombardo is a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor.
The Board of Examiners consists of Sisolak, Attorney General Aaron Ford and Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske.