Community Police Oversight Commission to Weigh Pretext Stop Reforms

The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) is scheduled to consider formal recommendations Thursday to limit the practice of “curb-sitting” during police traffic stops, a tactic that has raised community concerns about dignity and racial profiling.

The recommendations, prepared by the Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Teresa Magula and the Pretext Stop Ad Hoc Committee, propose that the Pasadena Police Department issue a written directive restricting when officers can instruct individuals to sit on the curb during investigative detentions. If adopted, officers would be required to document the specific circumstances that necessitated using the practice.

According to the document, “The use of ‘curb sitting’ during police stops has raised community concerns: though intended to enhance officer safety, the tactic is frequently perceived as demeaning—particularly when used without clear justification or in public view.” The report notes that multiple studies indicate persons of color are disproportionately subjected to more intrusive police actions during stops.

This isn’t the first time Pasadena has addressed the issue.

In 2005, Pasadena Police Department issued Chief’s Bulletin – Directive 2005-006, “The Practice of Curb-Sitting,” which established limitations on the practice. The current recommendations could update and re-issue this guidance.

The commission will also consider recommending updates to the department’s Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data collection practices. Currently, RIPA forms combine “detained curbside or in the back of a police vehicle” as a single checkbox, making it impossible to quantify curb-sitting specifically. The proposed change would track curb-sitting incidents separately to allow for analysis of how frequently and under what circumstances the practice is used.

A third recommendation would establish annual data analysis of traffic stops in collaboration with the Independent Police Auditor, examining police reports, RIPA data, and other relevant information to better inform future policy and training.

These recommendations represent the culmination of extensive work by the Pretext Stop Ad Hoc Committee over the past year, including monthly meetings, community surveys, focus groups, and a comprehensive report by Dr. Joseph De Angelis completed in late 2024. In the community survey, a majority of respondents recommended that Pasadena Police Department should engage in enhanced data collection on traffic stops.

The meeting agenda also includes approval of minutes from the April 10, 2025 regular meeting, discussion of updates to the commission’s work plan, and the monthly report from the Independent Police Auditor, who will brief the commission on ongoing projects including vehicle pursuit analysis, use of force review, and the development of a mediation program.

IPA Magula will also report on recent community outreach efforts, including meet-and-greet events at Robinson and Villa Parks. These events generated questions about the IPA’s role and background, concerns about critical incidents, and at least one personal experience that resulted in a complaint case review.

The Community Police Oversight Commission meeting will take place Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Pasadena City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249.

Residents can attend in person or participate virtually by connecting to cityofpasadena.net/cczoom or by calling 1-669-900-6833 with Meeting ID: 161 482 446 for telephone participants.

Public comments are limited to three minutes each. Those wishing to speak must submit a speaker card prior to the start of public comment on that item at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/. When participating virtually, speakers must login using the same name or telephone number used on their speaker card to be recognized.

Residents may also submit written correspondence of any length before the meeting to CPOC@CITYOFPASADENA.NET.

The meeting will be livestreamed with captioning at www.pasadenamedia.org and www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas.