Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance and five members of her executive command staff were abruptly placed on paid administrative leave on March 9 as state authorities investigate potential policy violations involving police training records.
Multiple sources close to the matter told the California Globe the investigation centers on allegations that training documents tied to mandatory Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (POST) certifications may have been falsified. The records in question reportedly involve required instruction in areas such as firearms proficiency, mental illness response, and domestic violence intervention.
Under Nevada law, peace officers must maintain POST certification, which includes completing specific training requirements. Sources familiar with the probe allege some of the officers may not have completed certain required training despite documentation indicating otherwise.
Washoe County Undersheriff Corey Solferino, a more than 20-year law enforcement veteran, was appointed acting police chief shortly after the leave orders were issued.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and City Manager Jackie Bryant announced the move during a March 9 press conference, describing the situation as an internal administrative and compliance matter while declining to provide specific details because of the ongoing investigation by the Nevada Department of Public Safety.
Nance, who became Reno’s first female police chief when she was appointed in January 2023, previously spent 25 years with the Stockton Police Department in California, where she rose to the rank of deputy chief. According to public records, her salary is listed at $275,757, with total compensation including benefits estimated at $434,983.
The removal of the chief and her top deputies has fueled speculation about the scope of the investigation. Attorney Ron Dreher, who represents the Reno Police Protective Association, confirmed that the five officers placed on leave are not members of the police union, indicating they hold supervisory or executive-level roles within the department.
Nevada law requires all peace officers to be certified by the POST Commission within one year of employment, with possible extensions of up to six months for good cause. State regulations also require ongoing training, including at least 24 hours of annual continuing education that covers areas such as firearms qualification, crisis intervention, and domestic violence response.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the allegations involve records tied to those requirements.
Under Nevada law, falsifying official training records could carry significant consequences, potentially including decertification by the POST Commission and possible criminal charges depending on the circumstances and findings of the investigation.
City officials have stressed that administrative leave does not imply wrongdoing and that all individuals involved in the investigation are entitled to due process.
Meanwhile, the attorney representing the Reno Police Protective Association says the union’s membership is not involved in the alleged misconduct that led to Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance and several top officials being placed on administrative leave.
Ron Dreher said the association wanted to clarify the situation for the community after city officials announced earlier this week that Nance and five others had been placed on paid administrative leave.
Dreher said confusion may have stemmed from remarks made during a recent press conference in which Reno’s city manager referred to the individuals placed on leave as “officers.” However, Dreher said none of the union’s rank-and-file members are involved, to his knowledge.
With that in mind, he said the five additional individuals placed on leave are believed to be part of the department’s senior command staff. That characterization appears to match language included in a Washoe County Commission agenda item describing the situation.
County commissioners are scheduled to consider an interlocal agreement at their March 17 meeting that would allow Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam to appoint a temporary chief and assistant chief to help oversee the Reno Police Department during the investigation.
Under the proposed arrangement, personnel from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office could temporarily fill leadership roles within the department. The City of Reno has estimated that the interim staffing shift could cost up to $2 million.
Dreher also said the investigation into the department’s leadership extends beyond an internal administrative review.
According to Dreher, the criminal investigation has been underway for several weeks.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, Dreher said the union’s members remain focused on their daily duties.
Dreher added that he was limited in what he could discuss publicly and did not want to jeopardize any ongoing investigations involving Reno Police Department leadership.
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