Las Vegas Metro Police Change Guidelines on Use of Deadly Force to Reduce Wrongful Deaths
2011 was a difficult year for the Las Vegas police department. Twelve people were shot and killed by the department in that very deadly year. One of those killed was Stanley Gibson, a disabled US army gulf war veteran, who was disoriented after getting lost trying to find his new apartment complex. Mr. Gibson, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and had not taken his medication, was unarmed in the front seat of his Cadillac when confronted by two Las Vegas police officers. In an attempt to get Mr. Gibson to exit his car, the police at the scene planned to shoot a bean bag at the car window, but instead shot seven times into the vehicle. If you have a relative that was killed in a Las Vegas wrongful death accident, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.
In the wake of last year’s 12 shooting deaths and a recent study by the Las Vegas Review Journal going all the way back to 1990, the Las Vegas Metro Police have revised their officer handbook for the use of force. The department now requires officers to emphasize the value of human life. Officers are also told to try their best to de-escalate possible violent situations. In fact, the guidelines the Las Vegas metro police have adopted are cited by the Department of Justice as important to protecting human life. Regardless of the new policy, there are many incidents of Southern Nevada wrongful death cases involving Las Vegas Metro Police that are still pending in local courts.
Benson and Bingham is one of Southern Nevada’s premier personal injury law firms. We focus on Clark County wrongful death cases, Las Vegas spinal cord injuries and even casino slip and fall accidents. We develop strong relationships with our clients to ensure we can best represent them in court.
