Tom Roberts has been a dedicated public servant to his country and the state of Nevada for the past 37 years: first as an Airman in the United States Air Force and then as a member of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where he retired from his position as Assistant Sheriff, and most recently as a member of the Nevada Assembly.
During his time with the Air Force as a Law Enforcement Specialist, Tom was in charge of providing police services, protecting our Air Force members and their families, and protecting against criminal activity. During his service, he earned four Air Force Commendation Medals. One for his actions during Hurricane Elena, and he earned a second, the Air Force Humanitarian Service Medal, for efforts during the recovery. He was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal for his service during Persian Gulf War. He was stationed Keesler AFB, MS, Izmir AFS Turkey, Nellis AFB, Nevada and was honorably discharged in 1993.
While at LVMPD, Tom rose through the ranks from Police Officer to Assistant Sheriff and worked in a number of capacities, including: Field Training Officer, Bicycle Officer, Problem Solving Unit, Narcotics Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Internal Affairs, Narcotics/DEA Task Force Sergeant, Hostage Negotiator, FBI Criminal Apprehension Team Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Director of Intergovernmental Services, Critical Incident Review Team, Police Captain (Southeast Area Command, South Central Area Command, and Office of Internal Oversight), and Deputy Chief of Patrol and Investigative Services. Tom was appointed as a member of the LVMPD Executive Leadership Team in 2007 by Sheriff Douglas Gillespie. He was appointed to Assistant Sheriff in 2015 by Sheriff Joe Lombardo.
During his tenure as Assistant Sheriff, Tom was investigative lead of the October 1 shooting on the Las Vegas Strip. Tom worked closely with community, government officials and federal partners to assist with the investigation and recovery of the incident.
Throughout his career, Tom has been a big proponent of collaboration in supporting and uplifting the community and fighting crime. Tom was instrumental in implementing and expanding several innovative policing programs: Real Time Crime Center (Fusion Watch), Mobile Crime Cameras, Shot-spotter, Gun Crimes Intelligence Center, Community Engagement Section, Rebuilding Every Community Around Peace, Critical Incident Review Team, Retail Theft Apprehension and Prevention Partnership, Animal Cruelty Unit, and Shield of Hope Faith Based Initiative to name a few.
He also serves as a Board Member (past President and Treasurer) of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation, which helps build relationships between law enforcement and the community.
As a member of the Nevada Assembly, Tom continued his service by prioritizing legislation to keep our communities safe, fund and support law enforcement, and aid our economy by supporting small businesses. As a legislator, Tom sponsored and passed legislation that expanded communication between agencies to help solve crimes, ensure children of military parents can participate in sports, and prohibiting the court from issuing an order or subpoena requiring the disclosure of confidential communications made during peer support counseling session. Because of Tom’s ability to negotiate and act as a bridge-builder between parties and organizations, he was selected to be a part of leadership within his Caucus. He was instrumental in negotiating complex legislation aimed at kick-starting our economy, improving education and helping small businesses.
While in Carson City, Tom served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Revenue Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Growth and Infrastructure Committee, the Elections Contests Committee, the Interim Finance Committee, the Legislative Commissions Interim Committee, the Interim Committee Studying Pre-Trial Release, and the Cannabis Commission Public Safety Interim Committee.
Tom has been married for 33 years and has two sons who both graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He recently also became a grandfather to a beautiful granddaughter, Rylee.
