Chief Harris Previews “Contemporary Re-Branding’ For Pasadena Police Department

Pasadena Police Chief Harris told a packed house at the Pasadena Police Foundation’s Annual Chief’s Breakfast Thursday,  that the Pasadena Police Department  would soon be “revamping and re-branding” itself, reflecting some new strategic changes in the department, “from cars to uniforms.”

Without revealing too many details, Chief Harris allowed, “You’re going to see a whole lot of changes in the police department from car changes to uniform changes,” said Harris, “and certainly in the way we apply our services to the community, and it’s going to stand out and it’s going to matter.” 

The Chief described the move as “Contemporary Re-Branding.”

As Chief Harris told the audience, “What this breakfast is really about, and the Foundation is about, is one word—community. And that means making sure that we take care of the unique needs of a city like Pasadena.”

“Understanding all of that,” said Chief Harris, “it takes people like those in the Pasadena Police Foundation who dedicate their time to making sure that we’re moving forward and really forging our place in the future.” 

Meanwhile, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo praised the Pasadena Police Foundation, and the City’s workers, saying,  “In Pasadena, in everything that we do, whether it’s at City Hall, in our Parks and Recreation Department, whether its at the parade or at the football game, the Police Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the school district, all of these, are individuals who are always here, and always work, and do a tremendous job, ensuring that we are not just a city, but we are a very unique place, and that’s an important distinction.”

“Pasadena has a sense of place and character, and it’s because of people like you and individuals like you,” he added. 

Gordo congratulated the Police Foundation for their work, and welcomed Vice Mayor Felicia Williams and Councilmembers Tyron Hampton, Steve Madison, and Gene Masuda.

Officer Francis Cutkelvin also was named the Yanish Family “Officer of the Year” award winner, and Avi Martinez, a senior at Pasadena High,  was named the recipient of the Bernard K. Melekian Outstanding Youth Award.

Officer Cutkelvin joined the Pasadena Police Department in 1993, following a career in the Inglewood Police Department. He worked in patrol for the Pasadena Police Department for most of his career. 

After being hired, he was assigned to patrol for a few years before being assigned to the Detective Section Homicide Bureau. After his assignment in Detectives, he returned to his preferred assignment of Patrol, where he remained. 

In 2018 officer Cutkelvin was awarded with Officer of the Year Award by the American Legion Hall, and in September 2023,  officer Cutkelvin received the prestigious “Beyond the Call of Duty“ award from the Pasadena Masonic Wisdom Lodge.

Pasadena Police Explorer Abby Martinez currently holds a GPA of 4.0 while enrolled in three AP classes at Pasadena High School and working at McDonald’s. She was a member of the Explorer Program Class 2, from which she graduated.

The Bernard K Malekian Outstanding Youth Award was established in 2010 in honor of former Police Chief Barney Malekian. Malekian had a tremendous interest in the youth of  Pasadena, and during his tenure, he established the Youth Accountability Board, and pledged a motto of “No More Dead Children.“ 

Martinez was also honored with a cash scholarship of $1000.

El Portal restaurant owner Abel Ramirez was also honored at the breakfast with the “Community Member Award” recognition. All of the award recipients received recognition from the State Assembly, State Senate and the City of Pasadena.