Chief of Investigations for Nevada AG Uses Homophobic Slur Against Police Officer During Traffic Stop

Through an open records request, 8NewsNow (KLAS) investigators obtained body camera footage of a traffic stop showing a chief investigator with the Nevada Attorney Generals Office, and former retired captain of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, using a homophobic slur against a Las Vegas police officer during a traffic stop.

According to the video obtained, William Scott Jr. was cited for holding his cell phone while driving in a state-issued vehicle. Scott retired from the LVMPD in 2019 and was appointed as Chief of Investigations by Attorney General Aaron Ford in 2020.

According to his LinkedIn profile:

Chief Scott leads full-time sworn peace officers tasked with investigating public integrity, child exploitation, human trafficking, and elder abuse, among others. The Chief of Investigations is responsible for administering an extensive investigation program for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The Chief of Investigations is key to the advancement of critical priorities for the OAG, including advising the Attorney General and senior staff on best practices in law enforcement, peace officer community engagement and criminal justice reform. Essential responsibilities of the Chief of Investigations are to: Investigate high profile and sensitive issues; Implement best management practices to recruit, train and retain a diverse workforce of high quality peace officers throughout the state.

Scott also “teaches several law enforcement courses including the classes ‘Preventing Police on Police Confrontations’ and ‘Ethics in Leadership,’  according to his profile. Scott also “developed a class entitled ‘Policing with Pride,'” according to KLAS.

As reported by KLAS, the exchange obtained from the video footage highlights a contentious exchange between Scott and the motorcycle cop,

“I thought you could use your speakerphone,” Scott told the officer in body-camera video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained through a records request.

“OK, you can’t have it in your hand, though,” the officer tells Scott while asking for his identification.

“I’m retired police captain with Metro — and I am the chief of investigations right now with AG’s Office,” Scott said.

“Okay, then you know the law, then,” the officer replied.

“So maybe I just call Kevin and just tell Kevin you’re giving me a hard time because — I’m telling you, I didn’t know dude,” Scott said during the stop, referencing Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill.

After the officer returned to his motorcycle to write the ticket, Scott exited the car.

“Sit in the car, sir,” the officer yells toward Scott. “Stop! Every second I spend with you tells me there’s no way you’re a retired cop.”

After a few minutes, the officer returns to the driver’s side window and hands Scott the ticket. Scott then shows him his badge.

“There you go, right there, buddy,” Scott says as he holds up the badge.

“OK, yeah, should have just led with that,” the officer said.

Scott then continues to argue with the officer, dropping names and an anti-gay slur.

“Bye, I have enough money to pay for mine, fa**ot,” Scott yells toward the officer.

“OK, very classy. I’m so glad that you’re retired and not with the department anymore,” the officer said before driving off.

The Attorney Generals Office responded to KLAS’ request for comment: “At the outset, the [Office of the Attorney General] does not condone Chief Scott’s conduct or comments,” the statement said. “Accordingly, and consistent with office policy, we are conducting an internal inquiry into the matter to determine an appropriate course of action that comports with our commitment to respect and anti-discrimination. Chief Scott has expressed sincere remorse and apologizes for his actions. We will not comment further at this time.”

“The spokesperson added Scott’s taxpayer-funded salary is about $151,000, including the retirement contribution.”

According to public records, Scott will be double-dipping into the state’s pension fund due to his government service with the LVMPD and the AG’s office, so he has “have enough money to pay” for the traffic ticket.

According to court records, Scott paid a $119 fine.

In an statement to KLAS, LVPPA president Steve Grammas said: “The Las Vegas Police Protective Association (LVPPA) is appalled and frankly, disgusted, with the choice of words used by a retired LVMPD captain,” . “While expressing displeasure with a car stop is the right of all people, using verbiage like we saw in the Body Worn Camera, by a former leader at LVMPD and current investigator at the attorney general’s office, toward an officer doing their job, is something that is extremely hard to comprehend. If he did not like the way he was treated, he could make a complaint to Internal Affairs. But holding his own personal judgement of our officer, and using language the way he did, should at minimum warrant a personal apology to our officer and potentially even an internal investigation by Attorney General Ford.”