State law enforcement agency changes NHP name to Nevada State Police
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 11/28/2021 - 12:15pm
If you've recently noticed references to the Nevada State Police instead of Nevada Highway Patrol, you're not alone. The Nevada Department of Public Safety has changed its official designation for the Nevada Highway Patrol and other state law enforcement departments to Nevada State Police.
Authorized by the recent passage of SB58 in the Nevada State Legislature, the name change affects law enforcement divisions of the Highway Patrol, Parole and Probation, Capitol Police, Investigations, and the State Fire Marshal. The announcement was made last week.
According to a NSP public information officer, the agency has a large scope of service to Nevada’s residents and visitors. The Department of Public Safety name as well has the Nevada Highway Patrol has resulted in some misunderstanding of the mission, purpose, and authority of the department.
By using the "state police" designation, the department can realign into a more effective and efficient entity that clarifies the role of the Nevada State Police and assists in branding for marketing and recruitment efforts, according to the public information officer.
While the DPS remains the umbrella name for the Department, for simplification purposes, Nevada State Police will is now being used in media releases, social media, on vehicles and on collateral and recruitment material.
The change costs the state no money, an agency spokesperson told 8 News Now in Las Vegas. Instead, new Nevada State Police cruisers will be painted with the new logo. Existing NHP and DPS vehicles will keep the logo until the vehicles are phased out.
