City Manager Could Choose Next Police Chief in October

The next police chief could be chosen sometime next month, City Manager Miguel Márquez told Pasadena Now on Wednesday.

“The next steps in the formal recruitment for the City’s Police Chief will take place in early October,” Márquez said. “There will be a community-based interview panel as well as a professional/technical interview panel. These two groups will provide the City Manager with important feedback to assist in final interviews. It is anticipated the selection of a new Police Chief would occur thereafter, sometime in mid-October or shortly thereafter.”

According to Márquez, the starting date for the new chief would depend on a number of factors, including the selected candidate’s current employment situation.

But the names of the finalists will not be revealed.

“Our goal is to have the new Chief in place as soon as possible,” Márquez said. “This process, as most executive search and interview processes, is confidential given that, among other things, applicants do not want to negatively affect present employment by having it known they are applying for a job elsewhere. While we believe in transparency, there are times when it is outweighed by privacy and other public policy interests.”

Pasadena’s next police chief will make at least $233,525.00, according to a previous listing on governmentjobs.com. The salary is in line with other police chiefs across the region.

The City has been searching for a police chief since John Perez resigned at the end of last year.

Cheryl Moody served as deputy chief until May. Jason Clawson has held the position since then. Clawson is expected to remain in the position until a new chief is hired.

The police chief oversees a police department that includes a more than $90 million budget, 234 sworn officers, and 120 civilian employees, including part-time workers. There are also 140 active volunteers.

The next chief will walk into a lion’s den of critics even before he starts the job.

Some local residents have called out on the City Council to cut the police budget and redistribute the funds to other departments.

The department is currently undertaking an administrative investigation into the actions of a police officer that fatally shot 31-year-old Anthony McClain during a police stop.

That investigation will only determine if the officer adhered to department policy. L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón cleared the officer of wrongdoing last month.

The chief also oversees security at high profile events, including the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game.