When I was a student at Fuller Seminary I was involved in a minor traffic accident in Pasadena CA due to the other driver running a red light. I ended up face down with several police officers on my back, resulting in permanent injury & pain. They over-reacted, bullied, used excessive force, failed to “de-escalate” , & made several significant errors of judgment & discretion. And yet despite being a college graduate with honors & having never been in “trouble” before, all the blame was aimed at me, without apology. This was at the time that a guy named Melenkian was chief. As a Christian I do believe in “turning the other cheek” but also in appropriately addressing wrongs so that they don’t happen again. I took action against them, & I am fairly certain those specific police officers will never do what they did to me to anybody else again. Nonetheless, the damage they caused to me was permanent (chronic pain for life, among other things).

ppd

KEEPING AN EYE ON PASADENA PD: WHAT THEY SAY VERSUS WHAT THEY DO

The Pasadena California Police Department: Historical Foundations, Leadership, Controversies, and Contemporary Operations

The Pasadena California Police Department: Historical Foundations, Leadership, Controversies, and Contemporary Operations ## Abstract  This report presents an in-depth examination of the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) from its inception in 1886 to the present day. It chronicles the evolution of the department, explores its leadership lineage, addresses significant controversies, and evaluates ongoing reform efforts. Sourced from official city documents, historical records, academic literature, and credible news reporting, this report aims to provide a detailed portrait of PPD’s role within Pasadena’s law enforcement history and its present-day community function. ## Introduction  Law enforcement in Pasadena, California, has developed alongside the city’s transformation from a modest agricultural hub to a vibrant urban center. The Pasadena Police Department officially began its mission in 1886, coinciding with the city’s incorporation. Since then, the department has grown in size and complexity, adapting to changing social dynamics, legal frameworks, and community expectations. This report explores the origins, structure, notable leadership, significant legal and social challenges, as well as modernization driven reforms characterizing the department’s history. ## Methodology  The research methodology involved collecting and analyzing data from multiple public resources: Wikipedia’s Pasadena Police Department page, official Pasadena city and police department websites, historical archives, news stories, and dedicated law enforcement community organization histories. The focus was on accuracy, triangulation of sources, and presenting a coherent narrative while acknowledging gaps particularly in early historical records and internal police records unavailable publicly. ## Historical Background and Origins  The Pasadena Police Department was established in 1886 in conjunction with the city's incorporation. Initially, law enforcement was administered through a town marshal's office, a common governance model for late 19th-century American municipalities of modest size. Early policing responsibilities were adjudicative and protective, handling disputes, deterring crime in a largely agricultural and residential community, and managing order during Pasadena’s prominent cultural events, including the Tournament of Roses Parade. ### Founders and Early Leadership  While no single "founder" is historically prominent or well-documented in current public resources, the department's creation is tied intrinsically to Pasadena’s civic incorporation and municipal governance structure of the time. The first leaders were town marshals appointed by local government officials who laid the groundwork for official law enforcement structures. Over subsequent decades, this evolved into a formal police chief system consistent with nationwide trends toward professionalized policing. ## Institutional Growth and Development  Throughout the early 20th century, Pasadena experienced significant population growth and urban expansion that necessitated evolving policing strategies and organization. - The introduction of motorized patrols, communication improvements, and specialized units helped transition PPD to a modern police department.  - The 1920s and 1930s saw infrastructure developments such as new police vehicles equipped with radios and patrol motorcycles, enhancing operational effectiveness.  - By mid-century, the department had adapted to growing urban complexity, including traffic enforcement challenges with the advent of paved roads and historic routes like Route 66 passing through the city. The department expanded its responsibilities beyond traditional law enforcement, integrating school safety programs, and event security, underscoring Pasadena’s unique civic events role. ## Leadership History Several figures in Pasadena’s policing history have contributed to its direction and policy over decades: - **John Perez:** Served as police chief until recent retirement. His tenure emphasized transparency, the adoption of body-worn cameras, and reform initiatives to address community relations and accountability.  - **Jason Clawson:** Stepped in as interim chief during leadership transitions, maintaining department stability.  - **Eugene Harris:** Appointed chief in 2023, bringing experience from San Gabriel Police Department with a platform emphasizing modernization and strengthened community engagement. Although earlier chiefs and marshals play critical roles in department foundations, publicly accessible details are scattered and primarily preserved in local museum exhibits and city archives. ## Notable Controversies and Legal Challenges  Like many municipal police forces, Pasadena PPD has faced its share of controversies, many relating to use-of-force incidents and concerns about civil rights: - **2009, Leroy Barnes Jr.:** Barnes, a Black man, was fatally shot during a contested traffic stop. The incident raised questions about officer conduct and transparency, resulting in litigation and public protests.  - **2012, Kendrec McDade:** An unarmed Black teenager, McDade was killed during a police pursuit after a false 911 tip mischaracterized him as armed. The incident provoked lawsuits settled by the city, intense media scrutiny, and community calls for reform.  - Additional issues involve in-custody deaths and mental health crisis responses, raising demands for improved policing protocols, including de-escalation training and body camera requirements. The department has faced ongoing pressure from civil rights groups, local activists, and media to enhance oversight, implement reform, and ensure transparent accountability. ## Reforms and Community Engagement  In response to controversies and evolving policing norms, PPD has implemented numerous reforms: - Deployment of body-worn cameras across patrol officers.  - Establishment of an independent civilian auditor to review significant incidents.  - Revisions to use-of-force policies aligned with best practices.  - Training programs emphasizing cultural competence, bias reduction, and mental health crisis intervention.  - Enhanced engagement through community policing initiatives and youth outreach programs promoting safety and mutual trust. Additionally, Pasadena’s commitment to preserving its policing legacy is exemplified by the establishment of a police museum showcasing the department’s history, artifacts, and evolution. ## Current Department Profile  As of 2025: - The Pasadena Police Department comprises approximately 241 sworn officers, supported by reserve officers and over 120 civilian staff.  - Headquarters are centrally located near Pasadena City Hall at 207 North Garfield Avenue.  - The department’s core functions include patrol, traffic enforcement, investigations, special event security (notably for Rose Bowl and Tournament of Roses events), and school safety through the Safe Schools Team.  - Under Chief Eugene Harris, PPD continues to focus on modernized community policing, transparency, and technologically advanced crime-fighting tools. ## Key Findings  - Pasadena’s Police Department’s transformation from a town marshal function to a comprehensive municipal force mirrors American urban policing trends.  - Leadership in modern eras has prioritized transparency, body camera integration, and community relations, responding to social and legal dynamics.  - Major controversies have increased public demand for oversight, contributing to reform initiatives.  - The department maintains a dual focus on maintaining public safety and fostering community trust. ## Limitations  - Detailed data on early leadership and foundational decisions are limited, with historical gaps likely best filled by archival research.  - Use-of-force controversies are mainly understood through media and public court records, limiting insight into internal investigation specifics.  - Rapidly evolving policing practices and community relations may not be fully captured in existing public sources. ## Recommendations for Further Research  For a fully comprehensive 5000-word or longer scholarly report, additional research should include: - Exploration of Pasadena city council archives and police department official reports.  - Access to oral histories from retired Pasadena officers and community members.  - Detailed examination of court records, legal settlements, and oversight commission reports.  - Comparative analysis of Pasadena’s policies against regional and national policing reforms. ## Conclusion  The Pasadena Police Department reflects a microcosm of American policing’s historical trajectory—emerging from basic law enforcement roots to a multifaceted, professional institution navigating complex societal expectations and accountability mechanisms. Its ongoing evolution embodies efforts to align law enforcement with contemporary social values and legal standards, while honoring a rich institutional heritage. *** This report framework can be further expanded into a fully detailed 5000+ word research paper with deep archival study, case analyses, expanded leadership biographies, and policy review as recommended above. If you would like, I can help generate sections iteratively for a larger final paper based on this scaffold. Citations:[1] Pasadena Police Department (California) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasadena_Police_Department_(California)[2] Our History - South Pasadena Police Association https://southpasadenapoa.org/about/our-history[3] History of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services https://cops.usdoj.gov/copstimeline[4] Pasadena Police Department - LA Conservancy https://www.laconservancy.org/learn/historic-places/pasadena-police-department/[5] Personnel - Police Department - City of Pasadena https://www.cityofpasadena.net/police/personnel[6] Pasadena Police Department - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PasadenaPoliceTx/photos/a.607378062653723/1336527979738724/[7] About - Police Department - City of Pasadena https://www.cityofpasadena.net/police/about/[8] [PDF] PCC 75th Anniversary History Book - Pasadena City College https://pasadena.edu/about/documents/PCC-75th-History.pdf[9] Discover Pasadena Police Department: Growth, Diversity ... - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymNVT2flm_c[10] Exploring The Pasadena PD: A Deep Dive Into Community Safety- https://namirimpex.com/newserx/35821-exploring-the-pasadena-pd-a-deep-dive-into-community-safety AI GENERATED (always verify)