Guest Opinion | David Llanes: A View From A Different Lens

I have been a police officer for over 28 years. The last 25 years with the Pasadena Police  Department. I author this opinion as an advocate for the Pasadena Police Officer involved with the  Anthony McClain case. During this period of extreme divisiveness and some intransigent views on  policing as a racist institution, I hope to give perspective to all who work, live and visit the City of  Pasadena.  

Over the course of this year, calls to fire this officer have been made by a vocal minority in our city,  including an elected official. 

According to a recent federal case, it appears that an elected official possibly defamed our officer on numerous occasions during public meetings, by referring to him as a  “murderer” and “the city employee who murdered Anthony McClain…”  

During weekly council meetings, the involved officer and all of us who wear the badge must endure  inflammatory speeches made without all the facts being considered or due process.  Regrettably, because of the recent settlement made with Mr. McClain’s family, our officer will not  have his day in court to disprove the blatantly false and misleading statements hurled at him daily.  

One thing remains true – Had Mr. McClain complied and cooperated during the traffic stop, the  outcome likely would have been different. Pasadena PD officers have removed hundreds of firearms  from armed individuals over the past two years, without incident. That is because in the majority of  those cases, the armed suspects complied with the officers and were arrested peacefully.  

Any loss of life is regrettable, but we thank God for the safety of our citizens and officers. Legally and  procedurally, a police officer is not required to be shot at before defending himself or others. Your  police officers risk their lives daily to protect you and help you feel safe. Those who demonize this  officer for doing so, yet striving to portray Mr. McClain as a model citizen, is flawed.  

Mr. McClain was on active parole for a violent felony. According to the officers on the scene, he was carrying a loaded pistol and associating with a parolee, which he was prohibited from doing. He was in violation of the law and his conditions of parole.  

PPD did not “plant” the gun with Mr. McClain’s DNA on it. PPD is not  corrupt and did not manipulate video to conceal nefarious activity. Chief Perez has been  tremendously transparent and has led this department with innovation and integrity.  

One of the reasons for our City Charter and City Manager/Council form of government is to keep  politics and those with political agendas from attempting to corrupt personnel decisions and  investigations. A lack of respect for policing as a profession is created by the false narratives that  politicians and activists continue to project, in furtherance of their objectives.  

Unfortunately, as officers, the decision to not fully adjudicate civil cases and award settlements rests  with those above us. Most of all, we want the facts to come out to the light of day; to show that  although placed in a life threatening situation, we acted with due regard for the sanctity of life, within  the boundaries of the law and followed department policy.  

Your officers are not perfect robots. They are human beings just like you and deal with all the same  trials and tribulations as you. But rest assured, in this perilous and difficult time for public safety, the  sworn officers of the Pasadena Police Department will continue to serve our community with  distinction and honor.

David Llanes is a Pasadena police corporal assigned to the Special Investigations Section and an active member of the Pasadena Police Officers Association.