Jan 2026 - Remembering Our Roots

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officially came into existence on July 1, 1973.
Prior to that date, law enforcement in our community was handled by the city of Las Vegas
Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Every city of Las Vegas police officer and Clark County deputy who reported for duty on the first
day of “Metro” became a founding member – what we now call a plank owner – of an agency
that has grown to include nearly 3,400 sworn police and corrections officers.
Each Metro employee is issued a personnel number, known as a “P number.” P number 1*
belongs to George Allen Jr., who began his law enforcement career with the city of Las Vegas
Police Department in April 1946. George later served as chief of police in 1953, 1955, and 1956.
He also held the rank of assistant chief in 1960 and later represented retirees on the LVPPA
Board of Directors.
George played a key role on the Committee on Police Consolidation and helped oversee the
historic merger of the Las Vegas Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. After
consolidation, he served as assistant sheriff of staff operations under Sheriff Ralph Lamb.
George retired in 1976 and passed away in 2001 at the age of 85.
No one’s career – especially one as impactful as George’s – can truly be captured in just a few
short paragraphs. Still, the larger message remains clear: Our history is important. For too long,
we as an agency have not done enough to preserve and honor our past. We have not always
done justice to the stories and individuals who shaped this department. That’s something we’re
committed to changing.
More than three years ago, the PPA hosted its first-ever social gathering for retired members.
Our goal was to create a space where retirees could reconnect, share stories, and strengthen
old and new friendships. The turnout was incredible as more than 830 combined years of Las
Vegas law enforcement experience filled our conference room.
It was an absolute privilege to meet officers who once served with the former city of Las Vegas
Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Seeing double-digit P numbers – 93*
and 94* – sitting together and sharing memories from an era long before today’s officers were
born was something special. The event also reflected a wide range of retirements, from just one
year to more than 30 years.
Our association has remained committed to hosting these gatherings to give our retired
members an opportunity to reconnect with former partners and colleagues, and mentor our

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