Lawsuits
On March 27 2025, Derek Myers brought a class-action lawsuit against the city marshals for engaging in a “systemic pattern of unconstitutional and unlawful conduct” by conducting arrests outside their legal jurisdiction. Myers alleges that the LVCM is operating as a "rogue law enforcement agency". The lawsuit stems from an incident on January 9 2025 where Myers was pulled-over by city marshals for alleged traffic violations. The lawsuit further alleges the marshals conducted an unlawful search of Myers and his vehicle, and performed a faulty DUI test. Myers additionally claims that he was not provided with a Miranda warning. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
On April 25, 2025, the ACLU filed a separate lawsuit against the City of Las Vegas on behalf of a man who alleges he was subject to unlawful detainment and physical assault. [12] [13] The lawsuit claims that the man's civil and constitutional rights were violated during a traffic stop in April 2023. [12] [14]
A third lawsuit filed by three people alleged that Las Vegas resident Tim McCoy was subject to excessive force and wrongful arrest in an incident from 11 November 2023. [15] [16] An investigation by KTNV-TV revealed that one officer involved in the incident resigned from the LVCM and was later hired by the North Las Vegas Police Department. [15]
City's response
Previous court documents from the department describe the agency as having a "limited" jurisdiction, with one document attesting to "patrolling city-owned property, including parks". [17] In another previous court filing, the LVDPS director stated that "[LVCM] jurisdiction is limited geographically and in scope." [18]
Following multiple investigatory reports by local news organizations and multiple lawsuits being filed against the agency, the LVCM website was changed to read: [19]
While the deputy city marshals’ primary role is to enforce laws on city-owned property, deputy city marshals are also authorized to enforce all municipal street and traffic laws as well as state vehicle laws applicable to city roadways. Marshals frequently travel on city streets while responding to calls or patrolling facilities and may witness crimes in progress, requiring immediate action to protect citizens, safeguard property and prevent harm. This authority includes enforcing moving traffic violations within the city.
The city website further refers to marshals as being classified as "category I peace officers" by the state of Nevada. The city alleges this provides sworn LVCM personnel with "full arrest powers and the authority to conduct traffic stops for observed violations." [20]
The city has further contested the jurisdiction and authority arguments in court. [21] The city has also asserted that LVCM personnel have jurisdiction outside city property [22] and that they had the authority to conduct traffic stops and make arrests outside of their standard jurisdiction. [23] A spokesperson for the city has further opined that Nevada "category I peace officers" — such as sworn LVCM personnel — are not limited by geographical jurisdiction. [24]
In-response to the ACLU lawsuits, the city reported it "takes all allegations of civil rights violations seriously" and would respond in court. [14]
