Pasadena’s New Chief of Police Announced by Year’s End

By Terry Miller

While we know the names of two of the candidates for the position of Chief of Pasadena Police, the rest remains shrouded in secrecy due to privacy laws.

Interim Pasadena Police Department Chief John Perez told Beacon Media months ago that he’s happy to “throw his hat in the ring…” as did a former high-ranking officer with the department for 29 years, Phlunte’ Riddle. Riddle was also the first African-American female sergeant and lieutenant with the department in addition to being the public information officer (PIO) and adjutant to the former Chief of Police, Phillip Sanchez.

Interim Chief Perez has been with the department since 1985. He began as a police cadet and has worked various assignments throughout the organization to include patrol, community relations, internal affairs, special enforcement section, SWAT, special investigations unit, and the counter terrorism unit. Prior to his appointment as the Interim Chief of Police, Perez served as a police commander and the deputy chief of police between: 2006-2016.

“The next steps will involve careful review and selection of the top applicants. There have already been several community meetings and an on-line survey seeking input on what people want to see in our next police chief,” according to Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian.

“Next there will be a community, police personnel and executive leadership team panels with the lead candidates. The names of the applicants are confidential so their current positions are not compromised. It will be a very transparent process but we have to respect the privacy of those who applied. The final names will be presented to the City Manager so he can meet with them and make a final selection. We hope a new chief will be in place by the end of the year,” Derderian concluded.