The Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) unanimously voted to recommend to the City Council the extension of the contract of Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Richard Rosenthal.
Last May 9, 2022, the City Council voted to authorize the City Attorney to enter into a one-year $150,000 contract with Rosenthal for IPA services.
He replaced Brian Maxey who resigned last year.
Before voting on the contract extension Thursday night, members of the CPOC lauded Rosenthal for his work as IPA.
“He’s been above and beyond helpful in responding to any questions that we have. On a scale of.1-5, I would give him a 5,” Commissioner Noemi Emeric-Ford said.
Commissioner Paula Verrette praised Rosenthal for being collaborative. “He is well versed and educated on a number of situations.”
Verrette also said Rosenthal is very responsive to the needs of the commission. “I would go with 5 as well.”
Commissioner Esprit Loren Jones said Rosenthal has been helpful in answering the question of commissioners.
“He has gone above and beyond to find other folks he knows within the industry to provide feedback so we can get a big picture because we are all new here. Super appreciative.”
Commissioner Alexis Abernethy also appreciates Rosenthal’s knowledge and expertise.
“It’s been really evident the strength of his relationship with the police department. His experience related to that really shows the wisdom he is giving us.”
Although Abernethy said she expressed in the past that he wants Rosenthal to be more collaborative, she also said the IPA responds well to every feedback.
“Any feedback that we’ve given he’s immediately responded. I think that’s important.”
Chair Raúl Ibáñez said he appreciates Rosenthal for having long-term goals.
“He thinks about what this commission will look like 2, 5,10 years from now. It looks like he is building to create a foundation so that it can be self-sustaining and be another system of checks and balances for the employees of our city.”
Ibáñez also appreciates Rosenthal’s willingness to engage with community members even when he is working remotely from Canada.
“There are a lot of community members who want to get in touch with him and he is willing to do that but there’s no bridge there but the fact that he is willing to do that is really good in my eyes.”
“Richard has done a great job. I’m in full support of continuing to work with him.”
At the meeting, public commenter Adriana Bautista urged CPOC to consider an IPA who can attend in-person meetings.
“Now that the meetings are back in person, the technical frustration sometimes with the distance and the remote and I think that is going to impact especially as the community starts doing more community-based outreach, I see that impacting in a way the quality of the work.”
“I think it would be more effective if there was an IPA who was local or at least able to attend local community meetings and get to know the community better and be available in a way for the community.”
During his first year in office, Rosenthal reviewed the use of force cases closed between June 2021-November 2022.
His report on the Categorical Use of Force Investigations by Pasadena Police Department recommends 10 changes to current Police Department policy.
For this Fiscal Year, Rosenthal said he will also develop a methodology to assess the current Pretext Search policy and practices and a proposal for a Community-Police mediation program.
Rosenthal will also work on creation of a Recommendation Tracking System.
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