Pasadena Police Oversight Commission to Consider Pretext Stop Policies, Hear From Police Officers’ Union

The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission will convene on Thursday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Pasadena City Hall. The meeting will address several key issues, including potential reforms to the controversial police practice of pretextual traffic stops.

The commission will receive a presentation from Independent Police Auditor Teresa Magula of The OIR Group concerning pretextual stop policies, with possible change-of-practices proposals to follow. Pretextual stops occur when officers pull over drivers for minor violations with the ulterior motive of investigating other suspected crimes.

A recent survey on “Community Member and Police Officer Attitudes Toward Pretextual Traffic Stops in Pasadena” was conducted between August 7, 2025, and October 17, 2025, for officers, and between October 8, 2025, and December 5, 2025, for community members. The survey included responses from 161 community members and 46 Pasadena Police Department officers.

Key findings revealed sharp divisions in perspectives. Approximately 50% of community respondents supported reforming pretextual stops in Pasadena, while 35% opposed changes. In contrast, only 5% of responding police officers supported reform, while 93% opposed it.

The survey also found that 20% of community respondents believed they had experienced a pretextual stop, citing factors such as the race of the car’s occupants, minor equipment defects or traffic infractions that either did not exist or would not normally warrant a traffic stop, characteristics of their car, the time of night they were driving, or the neighborhood they were driving through.

Some community members expressed concerns about racial profiling and ineffective resource use, while others saw pretextual stops as valuable for crime prevention.

But officers highlighted benefits including proactive policing and seizing contraband, while acknowledging that such stops might strain community-police relations.

The Independent Police Auditor’s memo identifies several opportunities for action, including enhanced documentation on body-worn cameras, improved data collection, community education, and enhanced oversight mechanisms. These reforms align with California Assembly Bill 2773, which mandates officers inform individuals of the stop’s reason at the outset.

The Commission will also hear a presentation from the Pasadena Police Officers Association regarding its history, structure, use of funds, services provided, and future goals. The PPOA serves as the recognized bargaining unit for officers, corporals, and sergeants of the Pasadena Police Department and advocates for fair wages, benefits, training, equipment, working conditions, and due process representation.

The PPOA operates as a nonprofit funded by member dues and community donations, with funds supporting collective bargaining efforts, scholarships, legal representation, and community engagement activities. The PPOA has contributed to numerous community organizations and causes.

Early in the meeting, the commission will receive an informational monthly report from Independent Police Auditor Magula, who will provide updates on outreach efforts, the status of Community Police Oversight Commission rules, the 2025 Independent Police Auditor evaluation and review work plan, and ongoing projects.

The commission will also consider approving minutes from its February 13, 2025, regular meeting and discuss updates to its work plan covering the fiscal year 2024-25. The work plan highlights five key objectives: gaining community input on pretext stops, monitoring Pasadena Police Department technology purchases, reviewing complaint handling processes, engaging with community groups, and supporting the onboarding of the new Independent Police Auditor.

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, Room S249 at Pasadena City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue. Public comment will be accepted both in-person and by videoconference/teleconference.

The public can attend in person or participate virtually by connecting to cityofpasadena.net/cczoom or by telephone at 1-669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 161 482 446.

To participate in public comment, individuals must submit a speaker card prior to the start of public comment on that item at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment/. Comments are limited to three minutes each.

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