- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Pasadena Police Auditor Calls for Major Use-of-Force Policy Reforms
Comprehensive review of 15 incidents highlights strengths and weaknesses in department's practices
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission will receive a detailed review of 15 police use-of-force incidents from the Independent Police Auditor during its upcoming meeting. The presentation will focus on 'categorical' uses of force that occurred between June 2024 and June 2025, highlighting both procedural strengths and key areas for reform within the department.
Why it matters
This review is a critical component of Pasadena's ongoing effort to ensure police accountability and transparency. The findings will offer an in-depth look at how the Pasadena Police Department investigates officers' actions and will outline specific recommendations to improve safety during high-stress encounters.
The details
According to the auditor's report, the department has determined that all 15 incidents reviewed were 'in policy,' meaning the force used was reasonable and aligned with departmental guidelines. The auditor is expected to concur with these findings. However, the report will also outline several areas needing improvement, including expanding the formal review process to include lower-level force incidents, rewriting the department's de-escalation policy, and addressing logistical and equipment concerns around restraint devices and decontamination protocols.
- The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026.
- The review covers use-of-force incidents that occurred between June 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
The players
Independent Police Auditor Magula
The Independent Police Auditor who will present the comprehensive review of 15 use-of-force incidents to the Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission.
Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission
The commission responsible for receiving the auditor's review and overseeing police accountability and transparency in Pasadena.
Pasadena Police Department
The local law enforcement agency whose use-of-force incidents are being reviewed by the Independent Police Auditor.
What’s next
The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission will discuss the auditor's recommendations and determine next steps for implementing policy reforms within the Pasadena Police Department.
The takeaway
This comprehensive review highlights the importance of ongoing police oversight and transparency, as Pasadena works to improve officer training, de-escalation tactics, and accountability measures to ensure the safety of both the community and law enforcement during high-stress encounters.
