Touching Base:  A Message from the Chief
January 15, 2012 

Dear Community Members and Department Personnel: 

Skills, discipline and determination forged by countless hours of training earned 220 Olympic-style amateur boxers the right to compete at the Region XIII Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament. The three-day event was hosted at Victory Park Center January 6, 7 and 8 and featured amateur boxers 10 to 15 years of age from Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.  The three day tournament was attended by several Pasadena Police employees and community members.  Finalists advanced to the national tournament, which is scheduled February 2 to 5 in Independence, Missouri.  

Our Community:  

On January 10, Commander Chris Russ and Lieutenant Rodney Wallace attended a Community Schools meeting at the Flintridge Center.  Representatives from Portland’s Schools Uniting Neighborhoods, Community Schools Collaboration from south Seattle and Los Angeles Education Partnerships shared their experiences with communitywide systems and school level connections for developing and operating community school partnerships.   

On January 11, Pasadena Police Sergeant Bobby Lomeli attended the Joint City/PUSD staff meeting at police headquarters.  The meeting focused on student issues including attendance, academics, extracurricular activities and programs.  PUSD Superintendent Jon Gundry attended the meeting as well. 

On January 11, Lieutenant Phlunte Riddle, Assistant City Manager Julie Gutierrez, Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Eric Walsh and I attended the Clergy Community Coalition monthly meeting at Paz Naz on Sierra Madre Blvd.  Coalition meetings are intended to build strong relationships with the faith community while improving the quality of life for all people through creative solutions that enhance affordable housing, economic empowerment, education and spiritual transformation.  

On January 11, Commander Chris Russ attended the Area C Community Partners meeting to share lessons learned from the November 30/December 1 windstorm.  The meeting was hosted by Disaster Management Area C Coordinator John Penido.  Representatives from Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge, San Fernando, San Marino, South Pasadena, Alhambra, San Gabriel and Monterey Park attended the meeting.   

On January 12, several current and retired Pasadena Police employees attended a retirement dinner and celebration for Sierra Madre Police Chief Marilyn Diaz.  The event was extraordinary and very well attended. VIPs included Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck, Assistant City Manager Julie Gutierrez, Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and several elected officials from Sierra Madre.  Marilyn served the Pasadena community for 32 years before she was selected as the chief of police for the Sierra Madre Police Department.  She served five years with SMPD and has retired after 37 years in law enforcement.  Marilyn is highly regarded by her community and by those who serve in the law enforcement profession.  She was a trail blazer for women in law enforcement and the first female chief of police in Los Angeles County.  

On January 12, I had the opportunity to speak to the New Hope Christian Fellowship Men’s group.  The impact of fatherlessness (real or emotional) in society was the topic.  The event was well attended.  I want to thank Pastor Glen A. Weber for inviting me to participate and speak at this event.  

On January 12, I attended the first of three community meetings to discuss issues concerning the November/December 2011 Windstorm.  The meeting was well attended and Mayor Bill Bogaard provided a few opening remarks.  City Manager Michael Beck provided a comprehensive overview of the damage caused by the windstorm and the city’s efforts to recover. Several department executives attended the meeting to answer questions or offer insight and perspective.  Councilman Gene Masuda, Assembly Member Anthony Portantino and Steve Madison’s Field Representative Takako Suzuki also attended the forum. The remaining two windstorm meeting are: 

• Tuesday, January 17, 7 p.m. – Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue 
• Thursday, January 19, 7 p.m. – Pasadena City College, Creveling Lounge, 1570 E. Colorado Blvd.  

Pasadena’s Finest:  

On January 4, I received a letter commending Officer Darrell McKenzie for his participation in Operation Santa.  On Christmas Eve, Darrell assisted Santa, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Helper deliver Christmas gifts to Pasadena families most in need.  Darrell, Santa and his band of merry men began their gift-giving at about 5 a.m. and concluded their mission at around 9:30 a.m.  Darrell joins many other Pasadena Police employees who delivered gifts to a number of Pasadena families during the holiday season.  

On January 6, I received an internal memorandum commending Police Specialist Diane Martinez for her efforts to identify a missing person.  Diane is assigned to the department’s Communication Center and received information about a missing vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with a tracking system, which helped Diane identify the registered owner. Recalling a missing person report from the prior day, Diane determined the two were related.  Her efforts helped identify the missing person (a female). Diane’s efforts were self-initiated.  

On January 8, Lieutenant John Dewar traveled to Quantico, Virginia, to attend the FBI National Academy.  John was selected to attend this prestigious leadership course in part because of his vast experience, leadership skills and contributions to the law enforcement profession.   

On January 9, I received a copy of an email authored by Human Services and Recreation Department Supervisor Rozanne Adanto commending the Pasadena Police Explorers for serving as the Color Guard at the opening ceremonies of the Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament. Rozanne stated, “The explorers were very professional and presented the National Colors very responsibly and respectfully.  We received many compliments from the participants.”  

From January 9 to 10, Commander John Perez and I attended a symposium hosted by the University of San Francisco titled Unique Leadership Challenges: Major Events, Disasters and Terrorism.  There were participants from local, state and federal law enforcement organizations, educators and others involved emergency response. Father Edward Malloy, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, presented on Ethical Leadership in a Time of Crisis, which I felt was the most compelling presentation.  

On January 10, I received a Service Excellence Survey commending Pasadena Police Cadet Sarah Presley for her professionalism and job skills.  A citizen had visited the Police Department to collect a police report and was very pleased with Sarah’s assistance.  

On January 10, I received an email commending Corporal Glenn Thompson and the Pasadena Police Volunteers for their work on Parade Watch during the Rose Parade.  The program is designed to register RVs that park along the parade route.  Parade Watch was problem-free in part because of the dedication of the CAPP Volunteers who were supported by our general volunteers, police explorers and youth advisors.  

Critical Incidents:  

On December 9 at about 5:45 p.m. three males walking on North Los Robles Avenue were robbed by three suspects.  Pasadena Police Detective Carlos Sainz was assigned the case.  A few weeks later, Carolos was able to identify one of the suspects and shared the information with Sergeant David Reavis who disseminated the information. After receiving the information about the wanted robbery suspect, SES Officers Joaquin Gurrola and Carlo Montiglio observed the individual and arrested him without incident.  Carlo’s investigation will continue in an effort to identify the remaining suspects.  

On January 5 at about 7:30 a.m. Pasadena Police received information about a parolee with a firearm.  SES [what does SES stand for?] Officer Jeff Disney positively identified the suspect and, with the assistance of his teammates, arrested the suspect without incident.  The efforts of the Jeff and the SES officers took a dangerous person off the streets of Pasadena 

On January 7 at about 3 p.m. Pasadena Police officers received a radio call for service regarding a lifeless body under the Colorado Street Bridge.  A witness walking across the bridge saw the victim and called 9-1-1.  Lieutenant Diego Torres was the incident commander and was assisted by several PPD officers.  The victim, a female in her 30s, apparently committed suicide.  The Los Angeles County Medical Officer also assisted in the investigation. The incident was covered in the local media: http://bit.ly/x61OnD.  

On January 8 at about 10:30 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to assist the Pasadena Fire Department with a residential fire in the 2300 block of Lambert Drive.  The origin of the fire was not immediately known.  PFD is investigating.  

On January 10 at about 7:30 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to a local area hospital on a report of an infant apparently suffering from head trauma. The parents had transported the child to the emergency room around midnight after they observed a bump on the child’s head.  PPD detectives are investigating the incident.  

On January 10 at approximately 8:35 p.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Maple Street and Allen Avenue regarding a solo vehicle traffic collision. The vehicle had major collision damage and came to rest on the north side of Maple Street, east of Allen Avenue. There were two victims, one male and one female, in the vehicle at the time of the collision.  The male died at the scene and his passenger was transported to a local area hospital in serious condition for medical treatment.  The incident was covered in the local media: www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_19716195.  

Until next time,  

 Phillip L. Sanchez
Chief of Police
Pasadena Police Department
207 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4545
Mission First, People Always