Local residents interested in serving on the city’s Civilian Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) have until 5 p.m. March 15 to apply. Eligible applicants will be considered for one of the 11 available positions.
The City Council established the CPOC by ordinance in October. The purpose of the commission is to enhance, develop and strengthen community-police relations, and review and make recommendations regarding the ongoing operations of the Police Department to the chief of police, city manager, and/or City Council.
The commission will consist of 11 members, with each council member nominating one (for a total of eight), and three members nominated from community-based organizations. No later than 90 days after appointment to the commission, commissioners must participate in a ride-along with the Pasadena Police Department and receive 30 hours of training in relevant subject matter areas.
Further information about the qualifications and duties of commissioners can be found at Pasadena Municipal Code, Chapter 2.60 (https://bit.ly/2N2405v).
It was not immediately known how many people have applied to serve on the commission.
City Council members from each of the city’s seven districts will nominate a commissioner, and the mayor will nominate another.
In addition, three at-large commissioners from community-based groups will be nominated. The council will have final approval on all the commissioners and an auditor.
Nominees are required to live in the city, though they are not required to be residents of the district represented by the nominating councilmember. Another goal is for at least 50% of the commission’s appointees to be women.
In addition, practicing attorneys would not be able to serve if they or their firm or entity currently have pending criminal or civil cases involving Pasadena police officers.
There has also been discussion about whether current or former police officers would be eligible to serve on the commission, and that’s a debate that will be revisited.
Commissioner terms will be for three years and staggered.
“In the near future, the City Council will consider, and adopt by resolution, a policy for appointment of members to the commission,” states a press release issued by the city.
Applications for those interested in serving as a Commission Member are now available online at www.cityofpasadena.net/wp-content/uploads/Community-Police-Oversight-Commission-Application.doc.
For questions, additional information, or to be sent an application by mail, contact the Mayor’s Office at (626) 744-4333.