Public Safety Committee
July 16, 2025

APPROVAL OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE HANDLING OF COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS SENT TO THE COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSIONPublic Safety CommitteeJuly 16, 2025 City Attorney/City Prosecutor DepartmentBackground•Chapter 2.60 of the Pasadena Municipal Code states that the CPOC shall adopt Rules and Regulations for the conduct of the Commission’s business consistent with the municipal code •These Rules and Regulations do not become effective until final approval by the City Council•On June 12, 2025, the CPOC voted 7-1-2 (with one absence) to adopt the Rules and Regulations pertaining to the handling of community complaints alleging misconduct by Pasadena Police Department (PPD) employees2 City Attorney/City Prosecutor DepartmentBackground•Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) does not authorize CPOC or the Independent Police Auditor (IPA) to investigate or adjudicate misconduct complaints involving PPD personnel•PMC stipulates that one of the CPOC’s functions is to “receive community feedback and complaints and refer them for further review, as appropriate.” (PMC §2.60.110(B)(1))•PMC authorizes the IPA to audit the handling of complaints made against PPD personnel (PMC §2.60.230(A)(8)).•Community members occasionally submit complaints directly to CPOC or the IPA, and there is currently no standard process for handling those complaints3 City Attorney/City Prosecutor DepartmentBackground•CPOC created an ad hoc committee to review PPD's complaint process and clarify CPOC’s role in handling misconduct complaints•The committee developed the proposed Rules and Regulations in collaboration with Independent Police Auditors (IPAs), Dr. Richard Rosenthal & Teresa Magula•Applies to complaints received by the CPOC, the Oversight Commission Support Division, or the IPA•The process ensures that complainants receive information on how to file a formal complaint with PPD•Complainants are informed that they may request an audit by the IPA if they are dissatisfied with the complaint outcome. •To the extent permitted by law, the IPA will share the results of the audit with the CPOC and the complainant.4 City Attorney/City Prosecutor DepartmentRecommendationIt is recommended that the City Council:1.Find that the proposed action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines and, as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required; and2.Approve the Rules and Regulations for the handling of community complaints sent to the Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC).5