Police Tell City Council the Department Faces Imminent Crisis

Pasadena police officers demonstrated at City Hall then appealed directly to the City Council Monday night, saying the department is underpaid, understaffed, suffers eroding morale and faces an “imminent” crisis as experienced personnel leave for better-paying jobs in other cities.

About 150 officers, sergeants, lieutenants and their families paraded silently in a demonstration line back and forth in front of City Hall carrying signs that read “Save Our Police Department.”

Police Chief Sanchez and other command staff officers were not present.

“We are asking the city’s help because we are not competitive,”said Sergeant Bobby Crees, who spoke on behalf of  the demonstrating Pasadena Police Officer’s Association and Pasadena Police Sergeant’s Associations.

Crees said the demonstration is part of a critical effort to save the Pasadena Police Department from an imminent crisis regarding the retention of experienced police officers.

Shortly before the City Council met, officers moved into City Hall where about 60 police gathered in the Council chambers, some with their spouses and children, and over a dozen more stood in the adjoining hallway.

Officer Veronica Burris, standing with a delegation, directly addressed the City Council and City Manager Michael Beck.

“The police department is in a state of crisis and we need your assistance,” Burris said. “We are at a point where many of our most experienced officers are looking to work elsewhere.”

Burris said that as many as 25 police officers have applied to other agencies. One officer left two weeks ago and two others will leave within a month, she said, further reducing the size of force already operating below budgeted levels.

The department, authorized and funded to field a force of 260, currently has only 239 personnel and has not been able to attract and hire experienced officers with its current pay package.

Burris said that the salaries and benefits of Pasadena police have “not only failed to keep pace with other agencies but have sunk to almost the last position in the survey of our relevant labor market.”

“Morale amongst the officers has also been further eroded by the fact that City management has been unable to resolve what is perceived as a relatively simple payroll glitch that prevents our officers from being accurately paid for the time they have worked,” Burris said.

Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson, presiding during Mayor Bogaard’s absence on a trip, thanked the officers and told them the City “appreciates their continued dialogue” so the issues could be resolved to allow the officers to return to performing the good work they do for the city.

Councilmember Steve Madison also responded to Burris’ remarks.

“I want to express my solidarity with each and every one of you and with our firefighters,” Madison said, saying he will do his best to remedy the situation.

No other elected Councilmember offered any other remarks.

spoke.