New Police Oversight Member Sparks Debate During Meeting

Pasadena’s Community Police Oversight Commission welcomed two new members on Tuesday, including a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer, igniting a debate about the balance of perspectives on the civilian watchdog body.

The appointments come as the Commission, established in 2020, undergoes its first significant membership change since its inception. Chair Esprit Loren Jones acknowledged the shift during the meeting, noting, “We’ve got a groove that is being a bit disrupted.”

Paul Vernon, one of the new appointees, brings 33 years of experience from the LAPD to the Commission.

“I am retired from the Los Angeles Police Department from about three years ago,” Vernon said during his introduction.

Vernon’s law enforcement background immediately drew attention from community members.

Adriana Batista, a public commenter, expressed cautious skepticism about his appointment, saying, “I’m definitely keeping my eyes on you. I know you’re LAPD retired and I mean that in a respectful way.”

Batista emphasized the Commission’s community-oriented mission, adding, “This is a community police oversight Commission.”

Her comments reflect concerns about maintaining a civilian perspective in police oversight.

The other new appointee, Teddy Bedjakian, brings a different background to the Commission. Bedjakian, a longtime Pasadena resident and local business owner, highlighted his deep roots in the community during his introduction.

Chair Jones took a moment to recognize two outgoing Commissioners.

“I want to take this time to acknowledge and appreciate Commissioners Barbara Stacy and Noemi Emeric-Ford for their service in this body,” Jones said.

The composition of police oversight bodies has been a topic of national debate. Advocates argue for diverse representation to ensure impartial oversight, while others contend that law enforcement experience can provide valuable insights.

Vernon’s appointment has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the incoming District 2 Councilmember-elect, Rick Cole.

Outgoing District 2 Councilmember Felicia Williams nominated Vernon to fill a vacant seat on the CPOC.

Earlier, the Pasadena City Council approved Vernon’s appointment with a 5-1-1 vote, with one Councilmember opposing and another abstaining.

Vernon’s appointment, along with that of local businessman Teddy Bedjakian to another vacant seat, has shifted the gender balance of the 11-member Commission from seven women and four men to six men and five women.

Williams defended her nomination of Vernon: “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 emphasized Vernon’s extensive experience in law enforcement, including his roles as an Internal Affairs investigator and his involvement in designing the Complaint Management System at the LAPD.

While supporters argue that Vernon’s law enforcement experience could provide valuable insights, critics contend that such appointments may compromise the Commission’s independence and ability to provide effective civilian oversight of police operations.

For his part, Vernon seemed unprepared for the pushback he faced when he was appointed.

“Honestly, I was a bit taken aback by the animus from the public without really knowing anything about me,” he wrote in a Pasadena Now Op/Ed published on June 18. “…I am a retired police officer. Let me reassure the public and give any notice to the police department, the Pasadena Police Officers’ Association, the city council, and my fellow commissioners that I am an independent and critical thinker.”