State law enforcement agency changes NHP name to Nevada State Police

There has been some change to Nevada law enforcement after the passage by the legislature of SB58 in May 2021. The Nevada Department of Public Safety (CPS) has now changed its official designation for the Nevada Highway Patrol and other state law enforcement departments to Nevada State Police.

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.

By using the "state police" designation, DPS can realign into a more effective and efficient entity that clarifies the role of the Nevada State Police. Having both the DPS and NHP lead to some misunderstanding of the mission, purpose, and authority of the department, a press release from NSP said.

While the DPS remains the umbrella name for the department, for simplification purposes, Nevada State Police will be utilized in media releases, social media, on vehicles, and on collateral material, including recruiting efforts.

The law enforcement division under Nevada State Police: Highway Patrol, Parole and Probation, Capitol Police, Investigations, and the State Fire Marshal.

SB58 adds to the functions and responsibilities of the Investigation Division the duty to provide investigative services to other divisions of the Department of Public Safety as determined by the Director of the Department. They will investigate certain technological crimes and enforce provisions of law relating to technological crime, and provide investigative services upon request to certain state agencies in criminal investigations relating to cannabis.

The change to Nevada State Polic is effective immediately.