LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The president of the NAACP Las Vegas branch is calling for a comprehensive review of a Henderson police sergeant’s training after the 8 News Now Investigators exposed video of the sergeant striking a woman.
Woman says Henderson police treated her like ‘an animal,’ plans to sue
Quentin Savwoir said he believed the interaction should not have escalated to the level it did.
Caught on video: Henderson police sergeant strikes woman
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“When I saw that video, my stomach turned,” Savwoir told the 8 News Now Investigators. “I’d like to think we all have the same perception of that video. I’d like to think that rather you’re in uniform or not in uniform, you can look at that video and say Huh, well that went off the rails really quickly.”
Sgt. Scott Alward is seen striking Nakeisha Kelly, 38, on video on Oct. 26, 2024.
The City of Henderson confirmed late Monday that Alward is on administrative leave but did not provide a reason why.
The incident occurred near Morrell Park by Boulder Highway and Basic Road. Kelly said she was drinking wine with her sister, and they had an altercation. Kelly’s family member and a bystander called for help. Alward responded.
“Follow simple instructions. Get in front of my car! Do it now!” Alward said. “You’re going to get taken to the ground if you don’t listen to me now.”
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“Are you trying to shoot me?” Kelly asked.
In an interview with the 8 News Now Investigators, Kelly recalled how Alward approached her.
“He was giving me the like, it’s not like, not a safe,” she said.
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Kelly did not immediately comply with Alward’s commands. Alward wrote in his report that he believed Kelly was going to spit in his face and used his open palm to strike her in the upper chest to redirect her body and the perceived attack. Alward used his knee to pin Kelly’s shoulder to the ground; she refused to show her other hand tucked under her waist, and there was a sharp pencil where she was lying and where she was concealing her hand, Alward wrote.
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Kelly told the 8 News Now Investigators she was not going to spit at Alward, and she did not have a pencil.
“I was scared at the moment because he was already putting on gloves and stuff,” Kelly said. “I was fearing for my life that day, so when I turned around tried to ask him, that’s when the incident happened.”
Kelly, who said she is 5’5” and 105 lbs., also recalled Alward’s knee on her back.
“I was scared,” she said.
Additional officers arrived and assisted with Kelly’s arrest. Her face appeared to be bruised in a booking photo obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators.
Kelly pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges, including resisting a public officer and making a false statement to or obstructing a public officer. She said she was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
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The 8 News Now Investigators asked the Henderson police department if it believes the use of force incident was justified.
“HPD takes every UOF seriously and follows their standard review protocol,” the office of public information responded in a May 1 email.
The city confirmed the incident was investigated by internal affairs.
The 8 News Now Investigators also asked if Alward was reprimanded or faced any disciplinary action in connection with the incident.
“This matter was reviewed and handled accordingly through our internal affairs process,” the city responded. “It is our policy not to disclose personnel matters.”
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Savwoir said he has not met with leaders at the Henderson police department or police union leadership, but it may be time to.
“There definitely needs to be a comprehensive review of the officer’s training, right?” Savwoir said. “I’m thinking that their training doesn’t require them or even dictate that a situation escalate that far that fast.”
Kelly said she is working with an attorney to file a lawsuit.
To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.
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