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Residents raise police accountability concerns in public comment; caller alleges conflicts in past investigations
Summary
Two residents used the public-comment period to allege problems with police investigations and internal conflicts of interest and asked city leaders to address past deaths and investigative procedures; one speaker said the police chief agreed to look into concerns.
Two Pasadena residents told the City Council on Sept. 16 that they have unresolved concerns about local police investigations and possible conflicts of interest, asking city leaders to review past cases and investigative practices.
Why it matters: The comments focused on allegations about the handling of deaths and investigative records by Pasadena police officers, claims that, if substantiated, would implicate the departments review processes and public trust.
Steven Alvarez said he was "still struggling to fight for my family" and accused city officials of failing to follow promises made during the last mayoral campaign. Alvarez alleged impropriety in endorsements and funding tied to police leadership and said racial bias persists in Pasadena; he characterized statements Mayor Thomas made during campaign season as unfulfilled promises. Alvarez spoke during the public-comment period and did not present documentary evidence during the meeting.
Eric Garcia Sanchez recounted concerns about the investigation into the death of Danny Lynn Stevens and other cases, saying "detective McFadden was the lead investigator" and asserting a conflict of interest because, in his view, Chief MP Jackson and other long-serving officials were too close to the officers involved to investigate impartially. Sanchez said he raised issues about photographic evidence taken by Officer Glenn Wells, alleging the images did not show marks the family later identified and that affidavits blamed the family for alleged tampering. He told the council that Chief Jackson "told me he would look into my concerns," attributing that commitment directly to the chief.
Neither speaker asked the council for a specific ordinance or a particular staff action in the public record; the transcript records no follow-up motion or vote during the meeting. The comments included allegations and personal assessments about departmental conduct; Council members did not make formal findings during the session. Council and staff members acknowledged public comments but did not announce any immediate investigatory directives on the record during the meeting.
The speakers named specific officers and investigators (Detective McFadden and Officer Glenn Wells) and referenced past cases; those names appear in the transcript but no formal city response or hearing was initiated at this meeting. Chief MP Jackson was mentioned by name in Sanchezs remarks; Sanchez said the chief committed to looking into his concerns. The council did not take formal action during the session to open or direct an independent review.
