Police Oversight Commission to Hear 2024 Year in Review From Police Chief

According to a PowerPoint presentation in Thursday’s police oversight agenda on Chief Gene Harris’ 2024 year in review report, the department made significantly fewer traffic stops last year.

Pasadena police in 2024 reported 6,605 stops per the Racial and Identity Profiling Act. The law requires officers to report their perception of personal characteristics, including racial information.

In 2023, 14,692 police stops were reported to the Racial and Identity Profiling Act. That same year, police reported stopping 2,556 African-American motorists. In 2024, 924 stops involving Black motorists were reported.

The majority of the stops reported involved Latinx drivers, 2,226 drivers in 2024, down from 5,195 in 2023.

In 2024, 2,221 police stops involving white drivers were reported, compared to 4,532 in 2023.

Police continued to seize firearms in 2024. In total, 43 firearms were seized and 124 gang and narcotics-related arrests were made.

The year also had its challenges, particularly the loss of critical police training facilities in the devastating Eaton Fire.

Traffic enforcement improvements included the implementation of advanced accident reconstruction technology and the hosting of a Community Motorcycle Academy to promote rider safety.

The department also rebranded its visual identity, replacing gold and blue badges with a navy blue and platinum color scheme.

Other accomplishments include securing $67,000 in Police Officer Standards and Training reimbursements to enhance officer training.

The department’s Community Relations Section earned national recognition from Neighborhoods USA for its innovative bilingual Citizen’s Police Academy, further strengthening ties within Pasadena’s diverse communities.

Other initiatives, such as the ‘Books ‘N’ Cops’ program with Pasadena Public Libraries and the inaugural Camp Pasadena outing, helped promote community engagement.

The department’s work toward cultural and structural changes focused on enhancing demographic parity, superior community engagement, and predicting future policing needs through data-driven approaches. Notable efforts to diversify the department included targeted recruitment events such as the Pasadena Triathlon and career fairs aimed at engaging all demographic groups.

Harris is scheduled to make the presentation at 6 p.m. on Thursday in City Council chambers.