Pasadena Police Oversight Commission To Host Spanish-Language Community Event

The City of Pasadena’s Community Police Oversight Commission will host a Spanish-language meet-and-greet with Independent Police Auditor Teresa Magula on May 6. The free event aims to increase engagement with Spanish-speaking residents on issues of police oversight and accountability, providing an accessible forum for community members to voice concerns about policing practices.

“This event offers an invaluable opportunity for Pasadena’s Spanish-speaking residents to share their experiences, thoughts, and concerns about police accountability and the future of policing in Pasadena,” states the Commission’s announcement.

The two-hour session will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Villa Parke Community Center, located at 363 East Villa Street in Pasadena. Magula, a native Spanish speaker, will lead the entire session in Spanish to ensure language accessibility for attendees.

This initiative reflects a proactive effort to ensure language and cultural inclusivity in Pasadena’s civilian oversight of law enforcement. The event specifically targets the city’s Latino community, which comprises approximately 34.1% of Pasadena’s population according to U.S. Census data, with around 26.6% of residents over age five speaking Spanish at home.

Established in November 2020 following public demands for enhanced police accountability, the Community Police Oversight Commission operates independently but collaborates with the Pasadena Police Department and City Council. The Commission includes community appointees who review internal police investigations and audit systems to improve transparency and trust.

Magula brings over 17 years of experience in law enforcement oversight to her role as Pasadena’s Independent Police Auditor. She previously worked as a Special Investigator with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Office of Inspector General and holds a master’s degree in public policy with a specialization in crime policy. In her current position, Magula reviews use-of-force incidents and internal investigations, advises the oversight Commission on departmental reforms, and issues public reports to improve transparency.

The Community Police Oversight Commission holds public meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., but this special event represents a targeted effort to reach the Spanish-speaking population. Though the Commission cannot discipline officers directly, it has the authority to make recommendations to the Chief of Police, City Manager, and City Council regarding police practices and policies.

Recent Community Police Oversight Commission activities include a comprehensive review of the Pasadena Police Department’s use of pretext stops.

The Commission utilizes a recommendation tracker to monitor the status of each recommendation made in independent reviews, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The event underscores the importance of bridging communication gaps between the Pasadena Police Department and the city’s Spanish-speaking community, addressing longstanding concerns about access and equitable representation. By creating space for Spanish-speaking residents to voice concerns and learn more about the city’s police oversight mechanisms, the initiative aims to strengthen community trust, transparency, and participation in governance.

Villa Parke Community Center, the selected venue, is a civic facility offering community programming in a predominantly Latino neighborhood and frequently hosts cultural, social, and civic engagement events. The May 6 event will mark one of the first opportunities for Spanish-speaking residents to meet Magula in a dedicated setting.

For more information about the event, residents can call 626-744-4141 or visit the City of Pasadena website at https://cityofpasadena.net/.