From the stage of the Las Vegas Little Theater, Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill told a packed audience on Thursday that the department has “alienated” many members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities over the years. When he took over the job of sheriff, he said, he realized that there are “so many different communities that still don’t feel like they’re a part, or in touch with, the police department.” This realization was part of the impetus for community members, elected officials and police officers to gather Thursday for the inaugural meeting of Metro’s new Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance.
The third alliance of its kind after Metro’s Hispanic Alliance and Black Community Alliance, it is scheduled to meet every two months to explore issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities throughout Las Vegas. “It’s a first meeting, so I’m kind of curious to see what they have in mind,” said Divya Narala, a 35-year-old director of partnerships and engagement at Nevada Grant Lab. Once the crowd had filtered into the theater, the audience was met with speeches by Metro officers and performances of Hula Halau, a Hawai’ian dance, and Haka, a Māori custom.
One Las Vegas “The primary purpose for why we have established our AAPI alliance is because I need you,” said Rachel Skidmore, director of community engagement at Metro. “I need you as one Las Vegas,” she said. “One thing is true.
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