By Spencer Levering
Las Vegas Overview-Journal
LAS VEGAS — The Metropolitan Police Division’s know-how was on full drive Tuesday as Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill showcased new autos that he hailed as “the way forward for policing”: Tesla Cybertrucks.
Metro’s new 10-car, all-electric fleet is anticipated to start out patrolling Las Vegas roads within the subsequent few weeks, McMahill stated, and greater than 400 officers have already been skilled on tips on how to drive the cumbersome autos. He stated every Metro Space Command across the valley will obtain one Cybertruck.
STAYING ALERT: What officers need to improve situational awareness
“These vehicles are excessive efficiency and so they’re constructed powerful. They deal with the whole lot from Fremont Avenue to Purple Rock Canyon,” McMahill stated. “They’re sensible, they’re highly effective and so they’re designed to make our job that a lot safer.”
The Cybertrucks have been totally paid for by a donation from Ben Horowitz, co-founder of the Andreessen Horowitz enterprise capital agency, and his spouse Felicia. McMahill estimated the 2 donated between $8 million and $9 million so Metro may buy the ten Cybertrucks, representing the biggest police fleet of Tesla vehicles within the nation.
“That is simply the following evolution in retaining our neighborhood safer than it’s ever been,” McMahill stated.
Supercharged policing
The within and outdoors of every Cybertruck have been custom-fitted to suit the wants of Metro officers, McMahill stated.
The leather-based again seats have been exchanged for plastic ones and are separated from the entrance cabin with a see-through barrier. Purple and blue emergency lights lining all sides of the Cybertruck illuminate the black-and-white wrap that identifies it as a police automobile.
The vehicles even have an upgraded battery capability to assist preserve them charged via the day. McMahill stated the Cybertrucks might be recharged at electrical automobile charging stations all through the valley, as the price of constructing a Metro-only charging community was too steep.
The Cybertrucks will reply to essential calls like barricades and shootings, based on McMahill, and every is provided with tactical gear together with ladders, shields and less-than-lethal firearms with ammunition. The truck’s elevated storage capability permits officers to hold extra instruments than conventional police autos can, he added.
“We don’t have the funds to place low-lethal instruments of the magnitude which are going to be in these vehicles in each automobile that now we have,” McMahill stated, “so the officers which are driving these vehicles are specifically skilled in with the ability to make the most of all of these weapons within the automobile for deescalation functions.”
In addition to a automobile improve, McMahill stated he sees the Cybertrucks as each a recruiting device and a take a look at run for electrical autos extra broadly. He stated the division will monitor how the autos carry out to see if additional investments in electrical patrol vehicles can be worthwhile.
“I promise to take higher care of our cops than we ever have so they may deal with this neighborhood higher than they ever have,” McMahill stated. “This is part of that.”
Ex-Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson testified he didn’t imagine a TASER can be efficient towards Massey and his gun was “the one factor [he] needed to cease the menace”
Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson opened fireplace after ordering Sonya Massey to place down a pot of scorching water throughout a response to a prowler report
Shenandoah Police Officer Patrick Reade calmly de-escalated a life-threatening scenario after the lady bailed out of a automobile whereas en path to obtain psychological well being therapy
Contact Spencer Levering at slevering@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0253.
©2025 Las Vegas Overview-Journal. Go to reviewjournal.com..
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
