LAS VEGAS, Nev. –Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich today announced that officers and detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Bolden Area Command have received the Fourth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing – Innovations in Community Policing. This year, the Attorney General recognized the exceptional work of 23 law enforcement officers and deputies from 12 jurisdictions across the country.

“There is no career nobler than that of a police officer, and the 23 officers we honor this year demonstrate that clearly,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “These individuals are distinguished in their service for field operations and criminal investigations – from investigating homicides to drug trafficking to sexual exploitation and assault – to making positive change in their communities through innovative outreach to local residents. Their actions are a testament to what law enforcement officers contribute to our nation each day, keeping us safe from violent crime and building more trusting communities, and they are deserving of our collective thanks. I am pleased to honor these 23 officers for their distinguished service in policing.”

“Peace officers in Nevada continue to work hard to build trust and confidence with the communities they serve and protect,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “National recognition from the Attorney General for Metro’s innovation in police work is well deserved, reflecting the positive impact that innovative youth prevention programs – like the Bolden Little League – have had throughout the Las Vegas area.”

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer James Bryant, Detective Traves Humpherys, Officer Darling Mapes, Officer Strahinja Pavlovic, Detective David Shive, and Officer Luis Vidal were named as recipients of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.

The Bolden community had always been a challenge for police officers and it was very difficult to build trust with residents. Youth in the community also struggled, and the numbers showed poor academic records and low graduation rates. So when an area merchant wanted to create a free, fully accredited baseball league for youth, police officers jumped in to assist as coaches for the Bolden Little League. Just two years after it started, and as relationships between police officers and the children and their families strengthened, the league expanded to 14 teams and 186 children. The league focused on reducing violent crime by building trust and positively affecting the children and families involved; and the success was in the numbers, with the neighborhoods surrounding the park posting a 76 percent reduction in violent crime from 2018 to 2019.

The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and tribal sworn rank-and-file police officers and deputies for exceptional efforts in policing. The awarded officers and deputies have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations or innovations in community policing. This year, the department received 214 nominations recognizing a total of 355 individual officers, deputies, and troopers. There were 39 states represented in the nomination pool, covering state, local, campus, sheriff, and other agency types.

The Department of Justice works closely with local law enforcement and strives to be a ready resource for them. The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing is one more way that the Department can show its continued commitment to the profession, and honor the men and women who so bravely serve it.

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