Henderson Police Chief Hollie Chadwick has been placed on a three-week administrative leave with the option to accept a buyout or face termination, according to an anonymous source. The city has confirmed her leave, but no further details have been provided regarding the reasons behind this decision. Deputy Chief Itzhak Henn is currently serving as acting chief.
Chadwick, who joined the department in 2002 and became chief in May 2023, has faced scrutiny since her appointment. Controversies during her tenure include her handling of a case involving Detective Kevin LaPeer, who was accused of using racial slurs and derogatory terms. Despite an investigation confirming policy violations by LaPeer, Chadwick cleared his disciplinary record, which led to criticism and a defamation lawsuit from LaPeer against the city.
In another incident, Chadwick reversed recommendations to fire officers involved in covering up a suspected DUI crash. Despite these challenges, she received support from city officials, including Mayor Michelle Romero, for her efforts to address departmental issues. The reasons for her current leave remain unclear, and city officials have declined to comment further on the matter.