NAACP Calls for Investigation Into Alleged Violation of Due Process for Fire Chief Washington

Fire Chief Bertral Washington. – File photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media NewsWireless Emergency Alert system. – Photo by Terry Miller/Beacon Media News¬¬

By Terry Miller

On Monday, Feb. 10, Pasadena City Manager Steve Mermell reassigned Chief Bertral Washington without notifying portions of City Council and Public Safety Committee members before taking such actions. Since then, residents and the Pasadena NAACP have raised questions over Washington’s reassignment.

“It has also been reported to the NAACP by local sources of workplace harassment of Chief Washington by the Pasadena Firefighters Association,” says Allen Edson, the president of Pasadena NAACP, in a statement.

“The Pasadena NAACP membership is extremely disappointed with the lack of transparency and the lack of empathy for all of the community of Pasadena. Mermell’s decision-making on public safety has come [in]to question.”

Edson continued, “The NAACP membership calls for an investigation of the City of Pasadena for a possible violation of Fire Chief Washington’s due process.”

The Pasadena NAACP is now calling for Chief Bertral Washington’s reinstatement until the investigation concludes.

According to Edson, the NAACP will continue to rally members and allies to attend City Council meetings and contact local, state, and federal representatives on a regular basis until a fair and unbiased investigation occurs.

“If Mermell did not consult with or was advised by the Public Safety committee, who did heconsult with?” asked NAACP members.

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