Reaction Mixed to Human Services Commissioner’s Proposal to Express Gratitude to Police for Doing “Better Job”

Commissioner George Paccerelli wants the Human Services Commission to formally express its gratitude to the Pasadena Police Department for doing a “better job” amid the recent shootings in the city by sending police tokens of appreciation

Paccerelli’s proposal, while supported by some commissioners, did not win majority support. At the commission’s Wednesday meeting, reactions were mixed.

“Maybe something like a nice bouquet and a thank you note that could be in a centralized office of some kind [would do],” Commissioner Lila Guirguis suggested.

“That is a great idea,” Commission Chair Jessica Xie said in response to Guirguis’ suggestion.

Explaining the rationale behind his proposal, Paccerelli, without elaborating, said the city police made some significant movements toward improvement recently.

“I have found they have conducted themselves quite well,” he said. He also added that in comparison to other police departments, the “Pasadena Police Department is doing a better job.”

According to the Pasadena police, shootings in the city rose 22% between 2020 and 2021, from 60 to 73. To address the increase in gun-related violence, the police have increased patrols in the neighborhoods where shooting incidents occur and employed the Shotspotter gun detection system.

Commissioners Kenneth Rotter and JD Cargill voiced their opposition to Paccerelli’s proposal, with the former saying the police department is yet to become a quality department deserving of gratitude.

“I think that the Pasadena PD has been involved in many issues of questioning ethics and I personally do not think that their track record has amounted to our thank you,” Rotter said. “They have leaps and bounds to go before they are of a quality that the citizens of Pasadena can be proud of.”

“I know my district well and they probably wouldn’t feel that that kind of attention was merited this time,” Cargill said.

Commissioners took no action on the item beyond discussion.