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Police Oversight Marathon Continues


Situation: The Pasadena City Council may Vote during the Monday, August 3, 2pm meeting on whether or not to place Police Oversight on the November 2020 Election Ballot.


Your voice is needed to push for a City Charter Amendment that gives true power to the citizens of Pasadena to hold the Pasadena Police Department accountable.

Background:

  • The Pasadena Police Department has a history concerning for racial profiling, unnecessary escalation of force, excessive use of force, and unwarranted killing of citizens.

  • Secrecy, Qualified Immunity, Police Personnel Information Protection Laws, the Local Police Union, Untruths, and Expensive Lawsuits have protected the Pasadena Police Department for years.

  • Officers’ inappropriate and unlawful actions appear to go without significant discipline, even when video evidence supports citizens’ claims against them.

  • The citizens of Pasadena have the opportunity to demand Safety, Accountability, and Community-Connection from the Pasadena Police Department through an Effective Police Oversight Body

  • Please view our prior post for additional and more specific background information including details of two Pasadena Police killings (McDade, Thomas) and the resulting settlement costs taxpayers pay

Assessment:

  • Effective oversight has the potential to hold the Pasadena Police Department accountable, increase departmental transparency, aid in appropriate disciplining of officers, and enhance citizen and officer safety.

  • Subpoena power and an enforceable disciplinary role empower police oversight groups to perform duties effectively

    • This can be achieved by amending Pasadena’s City Charter.

  • Pasadena citizens could vote for this in the November 3rd election, but first, the City Council must vote for a Charter Amendment.

    • A City Charter Amendment would have to be fully developed and acted upon by the City Council no later than August 7th to be considered by voters this November.

    • A Charter Amendment has been proposed, and, though lacking in some areas, it appears to have potential to provide meaningful police oversight.

      • Proposed Charter Amendment Pros:

        • Grants Oversight Commission and Independent Police Auditor subpoena power

          • Independent Police Auditor is hired and fired by City Council (requires 5 votes), not City Manager (1 person who also supervises Police Department)

      • Proposed Charter Amendment Cons:

        • No enforceable disciplinary role (Police Chief can ignore oversight commission’s recommendations)

        • Commission members chosen by Council (politicization, police union influence likely)

        • No restrictions on police officer membership in oversight commission

        • Note: some cons may be acted upon later when Municipal Code is drafted (ex: may be able to later stipulate Commission composition and selection process)

    • Regardless of the outcome of the 8/3 City Council meeting, Unrelenting Community Attention, Focus and Action are required to bring Effective Police Oversight to Pasadena.

Recommendations:

  • Action 1: Before the 8/3 City Council meeting, submit comments in support of an Amendment to the City Charter (see samples under “reference information”). Select the option for your comments to be read aloud.

  • Action 2: Attend the virtual City Council Meeting on Monday, August 3rd at 2pm.

  • Action 3: During the meeting, submit additional, real-time responses to be read aloud.

  • Action 4: Stay informed and active in the marathon for police oversight.

  • Action 5: Encourage like-minded friends, family & neighbors to perform Actions 1-4.


If Black Lives Matter to You, Take a Moment to Fight for Them.

(See Links Below)


Reference Information


Submit Comments to be Read During City Council Meeting:


Sample Comments:

  • The best comments are personal, direct and demand specific action. If you find it difficult to draft your own comment, consider the sample comment below as a reference point. Be sure to add specifics as identical comments will not be read aloud.


  • When Pasadena Police Officers ____________, (EXAMPLES: cursed at me, used excessive force on me, killed Kendrec McDade, killed Reginald Thomas, beat Christopher Ballew) it left me feeling _____, ______, and ______. Nobody should have to endure this from the police sworn to protect and serve our community. With truly effective, independent, community oversight of the Pasadena Police Department, my community can feel safe, knowing that police will be held accountable for their actions. Please let Pasadena Citizens Vote to Amend the Charter for Effective Police Oversight with Subpoena Power and an Enforceable Disciplinary Role.

  • My name is ________, and I live in District ___. Although I’ve never commented on City Council matters, I am disturbed by the manner in which Pasadena Police officers seem to go undisciplined for violations of policies, laws and human rights. As a tax-paying ____ (EXAMPLES: parent, teacher, homemaker, lawyer, etc), I call upon the City Council to Amend the City Charter and Bring Effective, Independent, Community Oversight to Pasadena Police Department.

  • I am a Pasadena Resident, ___, ___, and ___ (EXAMPLES: parent, teacher, homemaker, lawyer, etc). I call upon the Pasadena City Council to Amend the City Charter to create a police oversight body consisting of an independent auditor and selected community members with subpoena power and an enforceable disciplinary role. The current proposal does not grant any meaningful power to our communities, which Council members have been elected to serve. Pasadena citizens deserve better. Please Vote to Amend the City Charter.

Email your Comments Directly to All Elected Officials Below:


View the Meeting 8/3 at 2pm:


City Council Meeting Agenda:


Proposed Charter Amendment:

Information on Police Oversight:

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