Retired LAPD Captain Appointed to Police Oversight Commission

[This article has been corrected from an earlier version which erroneously stated that Tyler Werrin was not appointed to the Environmental Advisory Commission.]

The Pasadena City Council voted to place a retired Los Angeles Police Department Captain on the Community Police Oversight Commission on Monday.

The City Council voted 5-1-1 to appoint former LAPD Captain Paul Vernon to the Commission. He was nominated by Felicia Williams.

Jess Rivas opposed the appointment and Jason Lyon abstained.

Some local residents said that a former police officer should not sit on the Commission.

However, former police officers are not barred from serving on the Commission. One other Commissioner is also a former law enforcement officer.

Vernon worked on the investigation surrounding the Rampart Scandal.

Investigators uncovered criminal activity in the LAPD anti-gang unit in the Rampart Division and 70 police officers were implicated in shootings and suspect beatings, planting evidence, drug dealing, bank robbery, perjury and cover-ups.

In total, 24 were found to have committed wrongdoing, 12 were suspended, seven were forced to leave the department and five were fired.

Even more important, 106 prior convictions which involved testimony from those officers were overturned.

Williams said she heard Vernon in a recent interview and decided to appoint him.

“I am appointing him to the Commission based on his deep understanding of both community policing and investigations and hope for more collaboration between CPOC and the police department to ensure that all Pasadena residents are safe,” Williams told Pasadena Now on Sunday.

A second nomination by Williams that placed Tyler Werrin on the Environmental Advisory Commission was also approved.

Werrin is part of a lawsuit against the City over its rent control law.

Vice Mayor Madison said he would oppose Werrin’s appointment due to Werrin’s involvement in the litigation.

Williams, who nominated Werrin, defended the appointment. She mentioned that Werrin had started a compost-sharing program with his neighbors and was part of the Community Cats Trapping Network, demonstrating his involvement in environmental work within the community.

The motion to appoint Werrin to the Environmental Advisory Commission was approved with five Councilmembers in favor and two against.

Vernon may not be on the Police Oversight Commission long.

Incoming Councilmember Rick Cole, who will be sworn in later this year, told Pasadena Now on Monday he did not support the nominations.

“I’m uncomfortable with this backwards step from greater diversity on our City commissions,” Cole said.

Vernon’s appointment, along with Teddy Bedjakian, who was also appointed to the Police Oversight Commission on Monday, changed the makeup of the Commission, which was one of the most diverse in the City.

The seats were previously held by Noemi Emeric-Ford and Barbara Stacy, respectively. The change will shift the gender balance on the 11-member commission from seven women and four men to six men and five women.

Several Commissioners’ terms are set to expire this month.

Those opposing the appointment claimed that Vernon should not be allowed to serve on the Commission because of the time he spent in law enforcement.

“The whole point was for us to have a voice and say and have a look into what our police officers are doing,” said Michael Williams. “To have two former police officers invalidates the Commission.”

According to the City’s website, the Commission’s purpose is to enhance, develop, and strengthen community-police relations and review and make recommendations regarding the police department’s ongoing operations to the Chief of Police, City Manager, and/or City Council.

“At the end of the day these are individuals that want to serve,” said Tyron Hampton, who voted in support of Vernon and Werrin.