Pasadena’s police oversight commission will consider Thursday whether to recommend extending the contract of Independent Police Auditor Teresa Magula, capping her first year in the role during which she issued dozens of recommendations—many still awaiting complete responses from the Police Department.
The Community Police Oversight Commission meets at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249.
Magula, with the firm OIR Group, assumed the auditor role in January. She will present her first annual report detailing reviews of critical incidents, vehicle pursuits, use-of-force cases, and complaint investigations. The report reveals 31 use-of-force recommendations currently in draft and 12 vehicle pursuit recommendations pending the department’s response.
Of recommendations already delivered, several remain only partially addressed. The department responded to some with “agree in concept” rather than full implementation, according to tracking data in the agenda materials.
One recommendation from Magula’s review of the officer-involved shooting of Adam Youines fell into that category.
Two more critical incidents remain unresolved: an April 14, 2024 officer-involved shooting of a person identified as Mr. Andrade, which is pending both criminal and administrative review, and a Sept. 7 incident currently under administrative investigation.
“Strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement,” Magula’s presentation states of the department, while noting “areas for continued growth” including “consistency and documentation of processes” and “tracking progress against previous audits.”
The commission will also receive a presentation on law enforcement responses to people experiencing behavioral health crises—a topic one of its ad hoc committees has prioritized after reviewing call-for-service data.
The presentation, prepared by OIR Group, cites research showing people in mental health crisis are 12% more likely to experience police use of force and 10 times more likely to be injured during encounters. It examines alternative response models from other California cities, including Pasadena’s existing HOPE program, which pairs specially trained officers with county clinicians.
“Frequency and complexity of calls has increased: new options needed,” the presentation states.
The ad hoc committee examining crisis response decided in November to focus initially on mental health calls rather than domestic violence, based on prevalence data from the department.
Other agenda items include an informational briefing on Assembly Bill 847, which addresses peace officer record confidentiality, and approval of the commission’s updated work plan. The commission will also set its next meeting for Jan. 8, 2026.
The commission is chaired by Esprit Loren Jones, representing District 1, with Selina Ho of District 2 serving as vice chair.
Public comment will be accepted in person and via videoconference. Speakers must submit cards at cityofpasadena.net/
The meeting livestreams at pasadenamedia.org and cityofpasadena.net/
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