Fired Henderson Police Department Chief Hollie Chadwick made a surprising announcement on Thursday morning. She declared her candidacy for mayor of Henderson, challenging the incumbent Michelle Romero. Standing in front of Henderson City Hall with over two dozen supporters, Chadwick outlined her goals of enhancing transparency, improving public safety, supporting local businesses, and advancing educational opportunities and school safety.
Chadwick emphasized the importance of trust in elected officials, stating that transparency and truth are essential for building trust with the residents of Henderson. Her decision to run for mayor comes after her dismissal by City Manager Stephanie Garcia-Vause, who cited a lack of confidence in Chadwick’s ability to reform the police department’s culture and operations.
Despite the controversy surrounding her firing, Chadwick’s long career in law enforcement, including becoming the first female police commander in Nevada to oversee a SWAT team, provides her with a unique skill set for the mayoral position. However, Henderson has a history of turnover in police chiefs, with Chadwick being the latest in a series of departures.
During her tenure as chief, Chadwick faced challenges, including a detective accused of making racist remarks and allegations of covering up misconduct by officers involved in a DUI incident. Despite these issues, Chadwick received support from some Henderson officials, while also clashing with police union leaders over staffing and compensation concerns.
While both Chadwick and Romero have announced their mayoral campaigns, they cannot officially file paperwork until next year. Romero, as the incumbent, has already garnered endorsements and can highlight achievements such as new public facilities and national recognition for organizational excellence. The upcoming mayoral race in Henderson promises to be competitive, with both candidates vying to lead the city into the future.
