A newly sworn in lawmaker had a shockingly arrogant response when asked why she mysteriously fired a highly-respected police chief just months into her tenure as a city manager in Las Vegas.
Video footage revealed the dismissive moment when Stephanie Garcia-Vause was confronted over her running of the city of Henderson, about 18 miles south east of the Vegas Strip.
Garcia-Vause took office as Henderson city manager in December 2024 and fired Police Chief Hollie Chadwick about three months later on March 6 – despite the successful reduction of crime in the city over the past two years.
After reaching out to Garcia-Vause multiple times to no avail, the 8 News Now Investigators finally cornered her as she attempted to slip into a police awards ceremony on Thursday.
After a tense exchange Garcia-Vause dismissed the reporter saying she would ‘love to’ discuss it further, adding: ‘Make an appointment with my assistant’. That’s despite office ignoring repeated requests for a sit-down interview before, and after, the on-camera confrontation.
When directly asked why there was ‘such secrecy around the police department,’ Garcia-Vause bluntly replied: ‘There’s no secrecy.’
Chadwick was hired in March 2023 as only ninth police chief within 25 years in Henderson. She lasted half the tenure of the previous chief, Thedrick Andres, who served from 2019 to 2023.
Garcia-Vause’s answers grew increasingly evasive when pressed about the firing that has outraged local residents.
After reaching out multiple times to no avail, the 8 News Now Investigators finally cornered Stephanie Garcia-Vause as she attempted to slip into a police awards ceremony on Thursday, but they did not get the answers they were hoping for
During Chadwick’s tenure, she successfully reduced crime rates since taking the job in May 2023. Chadwick was the ninth police chief within 25 years in Henderson. She lasted only half the tenure of the previous chief, Thedrick Andres, who served from 2019 to 2023
‘Why did you fire the chief?’ the 8 News now reporter, Kyle Paine, demanded.
‘Um, the chief is an at-will employee,’ Garcia-Vause responded while avoiding eye contact.
When pushed further about what Chief Chadwick had done to warrant dismissal, the city manager appeared to shut down completely.
‘There’s no, no thing to talk about right now,’ she said.
The confrontation intensified as reporters highlighted the department’s revolving door of leadership as Chadwick was not the only Henderson police chief to be let go shortly after taking office in recent years.
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‘Well, no … she left, there’s been so many chiefs in so few years. So why?’ the investigator pressed.
‘I appreciate it,’ Garcia-Vause replied dismissively, seemingly attempting to end the conversation.
‘We just want some answers,’ the reporter persisted.
Appearing visibly uncomfortable, Garcia-Vause responded: ‘I appreciate that, and I’d love to talk to you. I’m just on my way into an event.’
The awkward exchange ended with reporters asking: ‘Who’s making the decisions in the city? You?’
Garcia-Vause has turned down multiple requests for proper interviews since firing Chadwick, who reportedly refused the city’s demand to resign.
Garcia-Vause has claimed the decision ‘was not based upon any finding of specific misconduct by Chief Chadwick, and it is not considered a separation for ’cause’ in a carefully worded statement.
But she’s offered no actual explanation for the dismissal.
Stephanie Garcia-Vause, who was only sworn in as Henderson’s city manager in December 2024, has repeatedly refused to explain her decision to terminate Police Chief Hollie Chadwick’s employment on March 6
The lack of transparency has sparked fury among Henderson residents, who confronted the city council during a February 18 meeting.
‘The city manager can’t look us in the face,’ one outraged speaker told council members.
‘For this woman to come in here and do what you did, after one month. Karma will come.’
Garcia-Vause has offered only vague promises to discuss the controversial decision in the future.