Some of our City Council members had a long night on Monday. Not only did they have a Council meeting that lasted until past midnight, but it was preceded by the swearing in of Pasadena's new Chief of Police, Phillip L. Sanchez.I have a feeling they preferred the earlier event.
I won't go over the details of Chief Sanchez's career--feel free to click the link and read about him. I'll just tell you the atmosphere in the City Hall courtyard was festive Monday night. As I walked through on my way to the Council chamber, I watched Sanchez float from group to group, lifted by the high spirits around him. Everyone wanted to talk to him. Everyone wanted their picture taken with him. And everyone--everyone--was smiling.
On the second floor balcony I stopped to grab this shot of the Chief posing with a group of very young people--cadets? recruits?--too young to be officers yet, but well trained and excited to be in the man's presence.
A lot of hope greets Chief Sanchez. May he continue to sail on the buoyancy that surrounded him Monday night.
Update from Janet Pope Givens, Public Information Officer of the Pasadena Police Department:
"Today’s photo in the City Hall courtyard is with Pasadena Police Explorer Post 19. Indeed, too young to be officers, but very enthusiastic learners and workers. We have a total of 32 of these young people who attend an academy, and after graduating, volunteer and continue police tactical and operational training. They work hard and they play hard. Our lobby has a case of numerous trophies they’ve won over the years in interagency competitions. But in between the training and the working they, along with their police advisors, go on lots of group trips for enrichment, education and fun!"
Thanks to Ann Erdman, Pasadena PIO, for the Explorer link.
13 comments:
They are cadets. And they were happy and exuberant I heard them chanting as they went back to the Police Department.
May our new chief experience fair winds and following seas.
Congratulations to the new Chief! It's lovely to see such happy support there.
Keeping our fingers crossed for our new chief, to be announced in August.
Drive safe. And remember, if you're on your bike at night, wear white!
He seems like a really nice man - I hope he enjoys the "Pasadena Way."
I wish all the best to Chief Sanchez and his men in blue. Im guessing the Chief wont be getting much sleep on New Year's Eve for many years to come.
Thanks for the clarification, Roberta. They seem so young!
Havisham, you're more up on this than I am.
Isn't it nice, Shell? There does seem to be a feeling of goodness around him.
Mister Earl, the South Pas Chief will have different circumstances to step into. I hope s/he can find the same sort of support to start with.
Bellis, either that or let's hope he changes "the way" in a positive direction.
Good point, Mark. I hope he's thought of that.
I haven't been tuned in to any police chief news, past or present, but it can't be a bad thing to have a sense of optimism about Chief Sanchez.
These are Police Explorers. The program developers leadership skills, discipline, physical fitness, integrity and dedication to public service.
They have training academies twice a month at Pasadena PD, assist with crowd control and traffic control at special events, participate in ride-alongs, etc.
They are a wonderful group of young people ages 14 to 21, many of whom would be seriously at-risk if not for this program.
We have several police officers who started out as Explorers.
I meant to add that we also have a Fire Explorers program through the Pasadena Fire Department.
Glad to hear your new police chief comes in with a good rep.
We have a sheriff up here, which sounds so wild west.
Nice sentiment, Petrea. I also thought it was classy of former Chief Barney Melekian to write a letter to the Star-news and wish Sanchez well.
And this note came in from Janet Pope Givens, the Public Information Officer of the Pasadena Police Department:
"Today’s photo in the City Hall courtyard is with Pasadena Police Explorer Post 19. Indeed, too young to be officers, but very enthusiastic learners and workers. We have a total of 32 of these young people who attend an academy, and after graduating, volunteer and continue police tactical and operational training. They work hard and they play hard. Our lobby has a case of numerous trophies they’ve won over the years in interagency competitions. But in between the training and the working they, along with their police advisors, go on lots of group trips for enrichment, education and fun!"
I've seen that trophy case in the lobby.
I'll update the post with Janet's comment and with Ann's link. Thank you all.
And I agree it was classy of Melekian to wish Sanchez well. Oh--and a yippee ti-yi-yay to everyone up in Altadena.
A real feel-good post. I'm all smiles too.
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