Police Chief Credits Training for Decline in Use of Force

Pasadena Police Department officers are using force less frequently and receiving fewer complaints in 2013 than in previous years, Chief Phillip Sanchez told the Public Safety Committee at a special meeting Wednesday.

The committee recently asked Sanchez to provide them with use of force data every six months. This week’s meeting was the first update since the request was made.

Through the first six months of 2013, there were 18 incidents involving 20 Pasadena Police Department officers who used force. Tasers have been deployed nine times, while bodily force or strikes have been used six times. The carotid neck hold was performed four times.

According to police records, only 0.61 percent of arrests by PPD this year have involved force. Sanchez described that number as “extraordinarily low” compared to other agencies. In Pasadena, force was used 52 times in 2011 and 53 times in 2012.

Sanchez credited the department’s training program with the decrease in incidents so far this year. Officers must learn the policies and laws and then practice how to handle stressful situations. Simulators are used to place officers in lifelike situations.

“We give the officers the material to learn, and then we test them on that material so that it’s verifiable,” Sanchez said.
Use of force has been a controversial issue since unarmed 19-year-old Kendrec McDade was shot and killed by last year when he reportedly reached for his waistband.

Committee member John J. Kennedy praised Sanchez for how he has addressed disciplinary issues within the department.

“With any policing agency, there is an opportunity for abuse, but when the police chief sets the standard and communicates that standard down the line, certain behaviors by police officers don’t happen in a negative manner,” he said. “The chief has demonstrated he’s totally committed with training, training, training and training to reduce the negative numbers, and I see that we’re trending in the right direction. I hope that trend continues.”

The department is also on track to have far fewer than the 70 to 90 complaints filed on average each year, according to Sanchez.

In 2012, 89 complaints were filed against Pasadena officers with 56 of those complaints coming from outside the department. Through the first six months of 2013, 18 complaints were filed with 11 of those coming from outside the department.

Following internal investigations, 26 of the complaints from 2012 were sustained, or proven true, while three complaints were not sustained – meaning there was not enough evidence to make a determination. The officers were exonerated or the complaints were withdrawn, unfounded or incomplete in 44 cases. Investigations remain active in 16 cases.

Of the 26 complaints that were sustained, 14 written warnings and 10 suspensions were issued. Two sworn officers were terminated as a result of investigations into complaints.

“That does not suggest the Pasadena Police Department is rogue or out of control. What it suggests is there is a firm foundation for accountability,” Sanchez said when talking about the suspensions and written warnings.

So far in 2013, two preventable collision complaints have been sustained with written warnings issued in both cases. Twelve complaints remain active investigations. Those include accusations of negligently discharging a firearm, illegal detention and improper behavior during an interview.

Committee members were optimistic about the progress that has been made.

“I’m hopeful by the end of this year we don’t go over what we’ve had in the past, and that it is in fact lower, which will demonstrate our officers are out there doing the right thing and treating community members with respect,” said vice mayor and committee chair Jacque Robinson.