With an unrepentant disdain for the current Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department administration, Lt. Ron Williams, a 14-year veteran of Metro and now a candidate for sheriff, has built his platform on speaking out with tenacity against current Sheriff Bill Young and his undersheriff, Doug Gillespie. Williams, a telegenic man with the accusatory language and inclusive tone of his party, the Democrats, is not a front-runner in the sheriff's race according to most political insiders. But he has made a lot of noise over crucial issues and thus instigated debate within the department and the community. He spoke with the Weekly:
1. It appeared the platform for your campaign was to attack the current administration; and now that Sheriff Bill Young has dropped out of the race, does your focus change?
Mr. Young, in his press release, encouraged his partner, Mr. Gillespie, to run for sheriff. Well, Mr. Gillespie is highly morally challenged, and took part in numerous things that are unethical—period. You have to remember that "corruption" is a broad-based term. Freebies and things of that nature—that's all corruption in my business. And anything that's happened in these last four years—a skyrocketed crime rate, outrageous traffic issue, disconnect between the department and the community—is a direct reflection of Mr. Gillespie, and he should be held accountable.
2. Police-involved deaths, and the process by which the department has handled them, are a hot topic right now. As a potential sheriff, what is your perspective on it all?
It's a difficult situation, and so I want to speak with all due respect to everyone involved with what transpired last week, with the officer-involved shooting. It's a traumatic experience for everyone, even the officers involved. As an officer who has been involved in those types of situations, I wouldn't second-guess fellow officers; but, on the other hand, it is our responsibility to make any available information known. It's finding an effective balance between providing the information that can be presented without compromising the rights of all those involved. It's key to find an effective balance. And it's key for the sheriff to be out in front, leading the organization, when things get tough. If not him, then his undersheriff. Not the deputy chief or a homicide detective. I, as well as many others, are disturbed at the lack of presence of the current administration in this present officer-involved shooting. Where are they? They are the leaders of our organization and they are not providing the basic information that the public wants. It's very discouraging ...
3. In Las Vegas the Hispanic community comprises a large, vital portion of our city. What would you do to improve communication with our Hispanic population ?
Unfortunately, the current administration has completely ignored the Latino population. The Hispanic American Resource Team is an invaluable asset to our police department and it has gone by the wayside over the past four years. In speaking with the National Latino Peace Officers Association I have already offered myself to be a part of that organization, in order to bridge the gap between the Hispanic community and our police department. The Latino population now makes up 30 percent of Las Vegas, and yet, now more than ever we are even more disconnected. The Hispanic American Resource Team needs more personnel. I intend to make it much larger. And I intend to staff that team with a sergeant.
4. Can you set the record straight on this issue: There is a rumor that you have been found guilty of DUI.
I was not arrested for DUI. Nor tested for DUI. And I was not DUI. You have to understand the culture of corruption in the administration today. In my time with Metro I became privy to a lot of different issues involving this administration—things I did not agree with. And, with other factors used against me, this was an effort to silence me. This administration—Mr. Young and Mr. Bill Jr.—invented a whole new standard for me that had no basis in law or science.
5. You have been loud and unrestrained with your criticisms. Do you feel you have the support of your peers right now?
Yes, I do. Because of a combination of what they see in me and the truth in what I've said about the current administration. They've supported me for having the courage to bring this information to light, out into the public, for the public to decide for themselves. It takes a lot of courage to do what I have done. We have a very vindictive administration right now. If you speak out against them you are forever banished and labeled. That needs to come to an end. Mine will not be a bought-and-paid-for administration. I'm a free thinker who will work with the community and the organization. All slates are wiped clean when I take office in January of 2007.