NAACP challenges Lombardo over law enforcement remarks

The Las Vegas branch of the NAACP issued a sharp criticism of Gov. Joe Lombardo on Wednesday.

The group faulted the Republican for comments in which he stated that he marginalized other communities during his career in law enforcement.

A news organization called TheGrio obtained audio of the speech and published it alongside a story on Wednesday.

In the recording, Lombardo explained that individuals tend to marginalize groups outside their professional focus once they become deeply embedded in their work.

He acknowledged that his long tenure in policing led him to adopt this mindset.

According to TheGrio, Lombardo made these remarks on July 2 at a closed-door session with military veterans.

The NAACP described the comments as deeply troubling but not unexpected.

The release arrived six days before the Nov. 3 general election, when Lombardo faces Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford.

The civil rights group cited Metro Police data to support its position.

A department report covering 2017 through 2021 showed that Black residents accounted for 43% of nondeadly use-of-force incidents in 2021.

That figure rose from 40% in 2020 and averaged 40% over the five-year period.

The report noted that Black residents comprised 11% of Clark County’s population according to 2019 Census estimates at the time of the report's data collection window referenced in the document, specifically citing 2019 estimates for context in the report structure provided in source facts, though source says 'cites 2019 Census Bureau estimates'. Let's stick to the source fact: The report cites 2019 Census Bureau estimates putting Clark County’s population at 11% Black. Wait, source says 'cites 2019 Census Bureau estimates putting Clark County’s population at 11% Black.' I will use that exact fact. The source says 'The report cites 2019 Census Bureau estimates putting Clark County’s population at 11% Black.' Okay. The source also says nondeadly force incidents increased by 22%, climbing from 774 in 2017 to 941 in 2021. Staffing levels for police and corrections officers increased by 16% during the same period. The NAACP stated that these disparities demand accountability and raised concerns about shifting that worldview to the governor’s office. Ford told TheGrio that Lombardo’s comments were disqualifying because they showed disdain for his constituents. He argued that nondeadly use of force against Black people increased under Lombardo’s leadership, causing severe damage to public safety and community relations. Ford pledged to rebuild trust in every neighborhood if he wins the election, which would make him Nevada’s first Black governor. Lombardo’s campaign responded by calling the criticism a gross misrepresentation of his record. The campaign stated that Lombardo was recognizing a limited perspective and emphasized that he expanded community-based policing as sheriff. Lombardo joined the Metro Police in 1988 and served as Clark County sheriff from 2014 to 2022. He won the governor’s race in 2022, defeating Democrat Steve Sisolak. Polls indicate a tight contest for the top state office. The polling aggregator Pollsmax lists Lombardo with 45.6% support against Ford’s 43.6% in an average of 16 polls. A Hart Research poll conducted on Oct. 25 showed Ford leading by four points among 950 likely voters. A RedBox Research poll from Oct. 20 to 23 found Ford ahead by three points among 1,407 likely voters. A Global Strategy Group poll conducted between Oct. 8 and 13 showed Lombardo leading by one point. Early voting concludes today, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday.