Some Residents Express Concerns Over Vernon’s Application For Independent Police Auditor Position

Some local residents expressed opposition to a former Commissioner now seeking the Independent Police Auditor position.

Paul Vernon announced his retirement from the City’s police oversight Commission in a letter on Nov. 13.

Vernon worked with the Los Angeles Police Department for more than 30 years.

He was appointed to the Commission by Felicia Williams as the District 2 Commissioner.

His nomination to the Commission was controversial.

After his nomination was announced, several community members said they were concerned that the former police officer would take away from the impact of the group, which is independent from the police department and the City Manager’s office.

On Monday, residents expressed concerns about Vernon becoming the Independent Police Auditor.

“I just want to share that I have concerns as he has been a very controversial figure on the oversight body,” said Yadi, who did not give her last name on her speaker card.

Vernon only attended two meetings; he missed a third one because he was out of town.

“Controversial? I’ve only attended two meetings,” said Vernon. “Then again, this same characterization was raised with just my nomination before anyone knew anything about me. I responded then with what I thought was a conciliatory, public reply. In my short tenure I learned my fellow Commissioners and I differed in philosophy and approach. I respected theirs and heard them. I hoped for the same in return. If that makes me controversial, then I am guilty. I guess we live in a world where conventional thinking is controversial.”

The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission is working to select a new Independent Police Auditor before current Independent Police Auditor Richard Rosenthal’s departure on January 18.

Commissioners said they have already identified four strong candidates from 12 applications.

Rosenthal, Assistant City Attorney Nick Rodriguez, and Arnold F. Lee of the Pasadena City Attorney’s Office did the initial scoring of the candidates through an OpenGov procurement process.

The Oversight Commission’s ad hoc committee is scheduled to conduct initial candidate interviews this week.

Previously in the 2022 selection process, the City Council reviewed candidates first.

“I think this would be a good time and a good opportunity for the City to let the community get involved with who that next person is,” said former mayoral candidate Allen Shay. “[We need] some type of policy or some type of outreach to make sure that the public’s voice can be heard as to who’s going to be the next independent auditor.”