City Committee to Focus on Process of Appointing Police Oversight Commission Members

The Pasadena City Council’s Public Safety Committee will continue discussions Wednesday on the process of appointing members of a community police oversight commission, which is slowly taking shape after the City Council last month unanimously approved a basic framework for such a body. 

As outlined in the framework, the Community Police Oversight Commission would consist of nine to 13 members appointed by the council through a public screening process which will include vetting by community organizations and adherence to a number of qualification targets that still have to be determined. 

The commission will include an independent police auditor to be hired by the City Attorney – instead of by the City Manager – with inputs from members of the oversight commission.

Last month’s vote included instructions to city staff to come up with a draft ordinance, which the City Council hopes to act on before the end of September. 

As part of new business for Wednesday’s special meeting of the Public Safety Committee, the Pasadena Police Department will seek authority for the city manager to enter into a contract with Vigilant Solutions Inc., a Livermore-based company that provides imaging systems software products, for the replacement of three mobile Automated License Plate Reader (APLR) systems. Purchasing the system will involve a cost of $80,000, to include hardware, equipment, and an enterprise service agreement. 

The Police Department has been using Vigilant Solutions systems since 2017 after it started transitioning from another APLR contractor whose systems became outdated. Five of the former contractor’s APLR have been replaced since then, and the department desires to replace 11 remaining devices within the next three to four years, according to a Police Department report. 

Also up for discussion Wednesday is the Department of Public Works’ recommendation for the city to contract with Custom Design Iron Works Inc., based in Chatsworth, for the fabrication and installation of temporary mock-up panels for the Colorado Street Bridge Suicide Mitigation Project. The proposed contract is worth $160,120, which includes the base contract amount of $150,120 and a contingency of $10,000 to provide for any necessary change orders. 

As discussed at a Public Safety Committee meeting in February, the full-scale mock-ups will be installed to provide a better visualization of the three barrier design options before a final concept is chosen. 

The Public Works Department said it anticipates work on the fabrication could begin this month, and the mock-ups could be installed by November. The temporary mock-ups may remain in place for about two weeks to allow sufficient time for the public to observe them and provide inputs on which option to consider for the final design.   

Later on in the meeting Wednesday, the Pasadena Fire Department will provide a Fire Incident update for the committee.  

Members of the community are encouraged to participate in the virtual Public Safety Committee meeting by going to 

http://pasadena.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=9 or watching via www.pasadenamedia.org. 

Public comments may be sent by email to vflores@cityofpasadena.net before Wednesday, or through www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment during the meeting, which begins at 4 p.m.