Monday Morning Pot of Gumbo: The Community Police Oversight Committee Should Not be Involved in Search For Police Chief

After the George Floyd incident, the City Council finally came together to form a police oversight commission made up largely of civilians.

Not really sure what that commission has accomplished since then, but the point here is the battle to form the commission.

Local activists requested, no demanded, that the commission be placed outside of the purview of the City Manager, who they thought was somehow corrupt.

Now the commission wants a say in choosing the next police chief, which falls under the purview of … the City Manager.

According to one member it was disappointing not to have a notice of the timeline of the interview process or let alone be consulted in regards to being able to participate in the interviews. 

The subject came up earlier this month after Marquez met with the commission. 

After the meeting, Marquez told members of the commission they had already provided input on the search for a new chief.

Turns out the CPOC provided information to the recruiter back in May.  

This one is simple, the people implored the council to keep the City Manager and the CPOC away from each other.   

And that’s why the CPOC members should not have been part of the community panel that provided feedback on police chief applicants. 

The point of the commission was to be independent of the City Manager’s office. 

Independent: not subject to control by others : self-governing. (2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit, an independent bookstore see Community Oversight Police Commission.

Independence works both ways.

Also, since it is the job of the commission to provide oversight of the chief and the police department, the next police chief should not feel in any way indebted to members of the commission for the job. 

Yes, that could happen if members of CPOC have a say in who the top cop is.  

And that would not be good for the commission or the police department. Of course all sides should be able to work together to make Pasadena better and safer.

And that can be done without CPOC members sitting on the panel to choose the next chief.

Stay independent and provide oversight. 

That oversight does not allow the commission to take part in any way in hiring or firing police officers. 

I think the City Attorney was clear on that. 

It’s the City Manager’s job to choose the chief. 

The City Charter is clear on that.