Van de Kamp Endorses an Independent Police Auditor for Pasadena

Former California Attorney General and long-time Pasadena resident John Van de Kamp yesterday endorsed the proposal for an Independent Police Auditor (IPA) for Pasadena, saying that an IPA “can provide better oversight over police actions than most Police Commissions.”

In a letter addressed to the Pasadena City Council, Van de Kamp stressed the importance of finding the right person for the job, saying: “The person must have the expertise, objectivity and independence necessary to gain public confidence in his or her role.”

Van de Kamp also addressed the important issue of who the IPA should report to, in order to obtain true independence.

“Preferably the IPA should report first to the Public Safety Committee of the Council, but should meet regularly with a citizens advisory board, as well as other members of City government, and with those in the Pasadena community impacted by police presence,” Van de Kamp wrote.

Kris Ockershauser, Convener of the Coalition for Increased Civilian Oversight of Pasadena Police (“CICOPP”), expressed confidence that Van De Kamp’s letter is a positive step forward.

“Former California Attorney General John Van De Kamp’s strong endorsement of the need for an independent, well qualified, and resourced Police Auditor can give the Council’s previously anemic and unstaffed Public Safety Committee the professional expertise it needs to perform its official oversight role to investigate and audit officer misconduct, review training, policies and procedures, and recommend changes,” she said.

CICOPP is an umbrella coalition for groups supporting the IPA proposal and urging reform of the Pasadena Police Department. It includes the Pasadena Branch of the NAACP, the Pasadena-Foothill Chapter of the ACLU, All Saints Church, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, ACT, Democrats of the Pasadena Foothills, the Arroyo Democratic Club, the Pasadena Latino Forum, and the Neighborhood Unitarian-Universalist Church.

Click here to view a copy of the Van De Kamp letter to the City Council.