Police and Citizens Awards Ceremony Returns With Community Focus — and a Sellout Crowd

The Pasadena Police Department’s long–running Police and Citizens Awards Ceremony returns today with a renewed emphasis on community involvement, but the event is already sold out, according to organizers. Pasadena resident and community partner George Penner said donations are still welcome to support the program. 

Today’s ceremony marks a shift back toward more public participation after years in which the gathering became an internal departmental event. 430 are expected to attend.

This year’s program carries added significance because of the Eaton Fire response, which will account for the largest share of commendations. 

More than 100 Pasadena Police Department personnel will be honored for their Fire response, and the ceremony will also recognize a 40–year officer. 

For decades, the event served as a moment for Pasadena to acknowledge officers, professional staff and private citizens whose actions intersected with police work. Over time, however, it became more of “a quiet departmental affair.” 

Lt. Andrea Perez of the Pasadena Police Department’s Community Relations Section said in an interview that she sought to restore the community’s role in the ceremony. 

“I saw this as an opportunity to reintegrate the community in recognizing and celebrating our police personnel,” Perez said. She added that the event “could evolve into something more inclusive — something that would bring the community back into the process, not just as observers but as active participants.” 

Perez credited Penner, described by the department as a community–minded Pasadena resident and Realtor, with helping expand the event’s reach. 

Penner emphasized that although the ceremony is sold out, residents can still support the effort through donations. For more information, contact Lt. Andrea Perez at andreaperez@cityofpasadena.net.