Serious Allegations Against UNR Police Chief
The chief of the University of Nevada, Reno police department knew about claims that one of his officers was beating his patrol dog months before he had the animal taken to a veterinary clinic for safety, the head of a Nevada law enforcement union said Tuesday.
Ron Cuzze, president of the Nevada State Law Enforcement Officers Association, said members complained that the “continual abuse” of Niko, a male German shepherd, was ignored by Chief Adam Garcia.
“Several months ago, Niko was beaten by his handler in the station to the point (the dog) defecated on the floor,” Cuzze said.
Garcia said he never heard any claims of animal abuse until People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals officials notified him Jan. 29. He said he then sent the animal to a veterinarian, who is keeping the dog during the investigation of the accusations.
“I was never aware of any allegations the animal was being abused,” Garcia said. “When the allegation was brought to my attention, I acted.”
The name of the officer was not released. The animal abuse complaint has been submitted to the attorney general.
Garcia said the officer was placed on paid leave after a Feb. 3 complaint of his abuse of a citizen.
“Ron Cuzze is making inflammatory and libelous statements,” Garcia said. “He should be careful. If he has proof that I or one of my commanders was made aware of this, I would like to see it.”
Cuzze said he has a written statement from a member of the UNR police department who witnessed the abuse and said he informed Garcia about it months before Niko’s removal. Cuzze said several officers and some civilians told him they had informed Garcia of the mistreatment.
“Adam Garcia is lying through his teeth,” Cuzze said. “He even banned the dog from the station because members of the department were afraid the dog would take only so much abuse before he turned on his handler or someone else.”
Ron Cuzze, president of the Nevada State Law Enforcement Officers Association, said members complained that the “continual abuse” of Niko, a male German shepherd, was ignored by Chief Adam Garcia.
“Several months ago, Niko was beaten by his handler in the station to the point (the dog) defecated on the floor,” Cuzze said.
Garcia said he never heard any claims of animal abuse until People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals officials notified him Jan. 29. He said he then sent the animal to a veterinarian, who is keeping the dog during the investigation of the accusations.
“I was never aware of any allegations the animal was being abused,” Garcia said. “When the allegation was brought to my attention, I acted.”
The name of the officer was not released. The animal abuse complaint has been submitted to the attorney general.
Garcia said the officer was placed on paid leave after a Feb. 3 complaint of his abuse of a citizen.
“Ron Cuzze is making inflammatory and libelous statements,” Garcia said. “He should be careful. If he has proof that I or one of my commanders was made aware of this, I would like to see it.”
Cuzze said he has a written statement from a member of the UNR police department who witnessed the abuse and said he informed Garcia about it months before Niko’s removal. Cuzze said several officers and some civilians told him they had informed Garcia of the mistreatment.
“Adam Garcia is lying through his teeth,” Cuzze said. “He even banned the dog from the station because members of the department were afraid the dog would take only so much abuse before he turned on his handler or someone else.”
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