RENO, Nev. (AP) - A report by a consulting firm says the University of Nevada, Reno police department is "nearly crippled" by internal dysfunction and a "bunker mentality" among the ranks.

The Results Group of Hood River, Ore., specializes in working with law enforcement agencies and was paid $30,000 to help the department improve performance and address personnel problems.

It was hired by the UNR administration after a letter of no-confidence seeking the removal of Police Chief Adam Garcia was signed earlier this year by 10 of the department's 16 officers and all four sergeants.

Garcia said the divided nature of his department existed before he became chief six years ago, and steps are being taken to improve
the negative environment.

He says that change began with a reorganization last week that
eliminated some supervisory positions to increase the number of
officers on patrol from 17 to 21 and to increase communications among members of the department.

The consultants noted that problems within the department are not the worst they've seen, and add that there are opportunities for it to become a model for other campus policy agencies.
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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-07-18-08 1034EDT