Video Shows Pasadena Police Sergeant Fleeing From CHP

Recently released video appears to show a Pasadena police officer fleeing from the California Highway Patrol near Santa Clarita in 2020.

Sgt. Michael Gligorijevic fled during questioning after a CHP officer came across him and several others standing near a jeep on July 11, 2020.

After Gligorijevic fled, an unsuccessful search was conducted by several police officers and members of the CHP.

Police Chief Cheryl Moody told Pasadena Now that the department could not discuss the incident.

“The Pasadena Police Department is aware of recently released video involving one of our officers and the California Highway Patrol dating back to 2020,” Moody said. “However, state law prohibits the department from discussing personnel matters so I cannot comment on the incident.”

Moody was the department’s deputy chief serving under then-Chief John Perez when the incident occurred.

Although it is not known what disciplinary actions were taken against Gligorijevic, no further actions can be taken against the officer.

State law prevents employees from being disciplined twice for the same actions.

In the grainy nighttime video, Gligorijevic confirmed to the CHP officer he was armed and lifted his shirt revealing his weapon.

After the officer told him he was going to remove Gligorijevic’s weapon, the Pasadena police sergeant told him. “Stop it, I’ll put it in the car.”

The CHP officer made no effort to remove the weapon by force and made no further demands for the Pasadena police officer to hand over his weapon.

After he was asked if he was drunk, Gligorijevic told the CHP officer: “No one is driving right now. We’re not doing anything and we’re not driving.”

The incident appeared to become more contentious after the police sergeant was told his blood alcohol level would be tested.

“You can have as many units as you want to come,” Gligorijevic said. “Nobody is doing FST [Field sobriety tests]. Nobody is doing shit.”

An FST is used to determine the alcohol blood levels.

In the video, the officer accused Gligorijevic of driving the jeep, although it is unclear if the CHP officer ever saw Gligorijevic behind the wheel of the vehicle and the video recording starts with people standing outside of the vehicle.

After the sergeant drank some water and was told it wouldn’t help him during the FST, Gligorijevic and the CHP officer continued to exchange words before the Pasadena police sergeant trotted away from the scene.

“You know I still have your ID right?” the CHP patrolman yelled.