LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is on a mission to change the perception of policing in minority communities.
Changing the way some think about law enforcement is a big challenge, but Metro police said they know it's necessary.
Metro police officer Marquis Hines said representation matters in underprivileged communities.
After leaving a career as a firefighter he took on the role inside the Metro police department.
Hines said growing up in the North west valley he did not see many officers that looked like him.
After joining Metro, he joined a group on a mission to recruit African-American officers.
Hines is now the president of the Sheriff's African-American Recruitment Council.
He said in the short time he's been with the department he has seen diversity grow.
For more information about the programs Metro has created to increase diversity click here.
