The vehicle pursuit policy in Pasadena is under scrutiny after an independent audit found inconsistent reviews, unclear tactics, and safety concerns in police chases.
Independent Police Auditor Teresa Magula will present the findings Thursday to the city’s Community Police Oversight Commission,
According to the presentation, 42 pursuits were conducted by the Pasadena Police Department in 2024.
While most cases followed policy, auditors flagged lapses in supervisory review, uneven training outcomes, and risks associated with unsafe driving behaviors.
Key concerns included officers’ and supervisors’ incomplete understanding of “tracking,” a lower-risk tactic in which helicopters monitor a fleeing suspect while patrol units follow from a distance.
In several cases, Magula said, tracking devolved into high-speed pursuit, undercutting its purpose. The review also raised alarms about rifle deployment during pursuits, which auditors said posed “significant safety concerns and tactical risks.”
The Pasadena Police Department’s policy, aligned with state guidelines, gives officers discretion to weigh the need to apprehend suspects against risks to the public. Unlike some California agencies, the Pasadena Police Department does not restrict pursuits to violent crimes, though it discourages extended chases for misdemeanors.
Auditors recommended clearer definitions for tracking, stronger supervisor training, consistent retraining for risky driving behaviors, and a formal ban on rifle use while driving.
They also urged the department to define a broader “pursuit philosophy” that balances enforcement goals with community expectations.
The Pasadena Police Department reported that more than half of the pursuits reviewed began with attempts to stop stolen vehicles, often flagged by automated license plate readers. Six ended in collisions or near-collisions, though most were caused by suspects.
The commission is expected to continue discussions as the Pasadena Police Department considers updates to its policy later this year.
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
