Pasadena officers file suit against police department alleging discrimination, assault

Several current and former officers of the Pasadena Police Department have filed lawsuits alleging discrimination, assault, and retaliation within the force. The lawsuits, which involve officers of color, have exposed the existence of two cliques, the “Good Ole Boys Club” (GOBC) and the “Veteranos,” allegedly exerting undue control within the department.

The allegations detail disturbing incidents of violence and discrimination. Officer Jarvis Shelby claimed he was placed in a headlock by a commander in August. Lt. Sam De Sylva reported being kicked in the leg so hard by another lieutenant that it required surgery. Lt. Carolyn Gordon recounted being shot in the groin with a paintball gun during a training session, leading to internal bleeding.

“These are police officers that are supposed to protect the community, but they attack their own,” said Brad Gage, the attorney representing the plaintiffs.

Gordon, who retired in April after 27 years, stood outside Pasadena Police headquarters, reflecting on years of mistreatment. “Sometimes in this building, I feared for my safety,” she said, recalling an incident from 1998 when she was called a “crybaby” after being shot in a training exercise.

Officer Omar Elhosseiny, who retired and was awarded the department’s Medal of Courage, faced retaliation after reporting colleagues for drinking on duty. “I was called ‘Taliban,'” he stated. Elhosseiny, who is Muslim, added that he was instructed to park his car facing Mecca.

The lawsuits have shed light on broader systemic issues within the Pasadena Police Department. Incidents of racial discrimination and retaliation are reportedly pervasive. Officer Taisyn Crutchfield’s lawsuit states she was unfairly punished after a February 2023 incident where she attempted to de-escalate a situation between a Black woman and another officer. Her subsequent administrative leave and the lack of response to her calls for backup further fueled allegations of retaliation.

The Pasadena Police Officers Association dismissed the claims as false, insisting they do not reflect the department’s stance. “The inflammatory rhetoric of an opportunistic counselor will not prevail,” read a statement from the association emphasizing its commitment to due process.

Despite assurances from Pasadena Police Chief Eugene Harris that all allegations are thoroughly investigated, the recent spate of lawsuits underscores persistent issues. “I take any complaints of assault or violence seriously, and I will not tolerate an internal culture of assault or violence,” said Harris.

The repercussions of these alleged internal conflicts extend beyond the police force. “If there is racism, retaliation and violence within the Police Department, it can certainly bleed over into the community,” asserted Gordon. Attorney Brad Gage remarked on the chilling effect these dynamics have on community trust. “How is anyone in our community going to feel safe, particularly if they’re a person of color, in a city where the police officers themselves become targets of violence?” he asked.

The Pasadena Police Department has faced significant financial payouts related to civil lawsuits from fatal shootings and in-custody deaths of Black men. The city paid $7.5 million in 2021 to the children of Anthony McClain, who was fatally shot during a 2020 traffic stop.