PASADENA, CA – Pasadena Chief of Police Bernard Melekian returned to work Monday, April 16th after attending a 3-day conference in Lyon, France on global terrorism. The conference, ‘Preventing the Emergence of the Next Generation of Terrorists.’ was sponsored by Interpol and funding to attend was provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

“This opportunity was of ultimate value, says Chief Melekian. There are some global consistencies in the essence of terrorism that the USA has heretofore not had to grapple with like that of other nations.  One of those truths is that local law enforcement is the front line. No matter where an event happens, the local agency is the first on scene, will be there throughout, and will live with the aftermath. Gaining an international perspective, learning from colleagues from around the world and learning about some of the inter-workings of Interpol, will only serve to strengthen our understanding and improve our response to acts of terrorism whether they be domestic or global. “

Chief Melekian is available to speak on his experiences at the Interpol conference. An appointment can be made to do so by calling (626) 744-4545.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Interpol Conference

PASADENA, CA – Pasadena Police Emergency Service Operator Norma Perez has been selected to receive the California Public-Safety Radio Association (CPRA) Answering the Call award at the 19th Annual Telecommunicator Awards Banquet which will be held on April 12, 2007.  The 7:00 p.m. event will be held at the Quiet Cannon, Montebello Country Club, 901 Via San Clemente, in the city of Montebello.

Ms. Perez is being recognized for her work as a hostage negotiations expert and Crisis Negotiation Team member and for how she applies her knowledge and skill on a daily basis.  Ms. Perez was nominated specifically for her role and negotiating skills in talking a despondent, suicidal young man into surrendering to officers without incident.  She mitigated a situation that could have had a tragic ending as the young man had been armed with a shotgun at one point.

Ms. Perez was selected as an award winner from nominations solicited by the CPRA from over 200 local Sheriff, Police, Fire and EMS agencies in the Southern California.

“We are very proud of Ms. Perez.  Her training and her firm and calm demeanor no doubt contributed to the surrender of this distraught young man.  Ms. Perez is an extraordinary employee whose actions exemplify excellence in service to our community”, says Bernard K. Melekian, Chief of Police.  “It is a fitting tribute to honor her during National Telecommunicators Week.”

For further information please contact, Wendy Petry, Communications Administrator at 626-744-6499.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Answering Call Award

PASADENA, CA - The second week of April (9th -14th), has been designated “National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week.”  The week long observance will place national recognition and honor on the men and women more commonly referred to as Dispatchers or Emergency Service Operators.  Public Safety Dispatchers are generally the first link between the public needing assistance and the emergency service personnel who are going to respond to help them.

Pasadena Police Dispatchers are highly skilled professionals who handle an average of one-thousand 9-1-1 emergency and general business calls each day. “Our Police Dispatchers are an absolute essential part of our operation”, says Chief Bernard Melekian.  “They have an extremely challenging and multi-tasking job.  For the dispatchers no call is ever the same, one moment they could be assisting someone who is simply asking for information and the next moment they could literally be helping someone in a critical or life threatening situation.  As a community, we owe our dispatchers a lot of gratitude, they are there in the middle of the night and when others are enjoying holiday dinners or family gatherings.  Their job requires enormous personal sacrifice for the safety and benefit of our community.”

Dispatchers across the nation will be acknowledged and honored for the job they do during National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.  Pasadena Police Dispatcher Norma Perez will be honored by the California Public Safety Radio Association (CPRA), with the “Answering the Call” Award on April 12, 2007.  Ms. Perez was nominated specifically for her role and crisis negotiation skills in convincing a despondent and suicidal man to surrender without incident, rather than hurt himself.  “It is a fitting tribute to honor Ms. Perez during “National Public Safety Telecomunicators Week”, says Chief Melekian.  “Too often the work of our dispatchers goes unnoticed.”

Police  Dispatchers  have  an  exciting  and  challenging  law-enforcement  career  with  solid  promotional  opportunities.   Pasadena Police Department  is  looking  for  qualified  applicants and  is  testing  on  a   continuous  basis.   Anyone  interested   in  applying  for  the  Police Dispatcher  (Police  Specialist  V)  position  can  go  to:  http://cityofpasadena.net/police/COMMUNICATIONS/Becoming%20a%20Dispatcher.asp
for further details.  Interested candidates are also invited to observe the Communications Center in action.  Arrangements can be made by contacting Police Administrator Wendy Petry at 626 744-6499.

Arrangements for PRESS COVERAGE PHOTOS of the Pasadena Police Communications Center can be made by contacting the on-duty Dispatch Supervisor at 626 744-7466.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Dispatched Honored

PASADENA, CA. – On March 27,2007, Pasadena Police Officers arrested Robert Lee Blacksmith, age 40 and Chad Lewis Evans, age 19 on child pornography and sexual abuse charges.  The arrests were the result of a collaborative effort of the Pasadena Police Department, the Salem Oregon Police Department, the FBI, and the US Secret Service.  The two suspects had originally come under scrutiny during a national child pornography enforcement operation called “Operation Falcon.”  Blacksmith and Evans were contacted in Oregon, and found in possession of multiple child pornography images of adults engaging in various sexual acts with young children.  Investigation by detectives at the Salem Oregon Police Department led to the identification of an additional twelve year old victim, in Florida, who had been exploited by the pair.  Blacksmith and Evans apparently fled Oregon, and came to Pasadena in an attempt to avoid prosecution.  Pasadena Police officers set up surveillance and arrested both suspects as they were leaving their apartment.  Detectives served a search warrant at the location and discovered more child pornography inside the apartment Blacksmith and Evans rented, resulting in additional charges being filed with the California Courts.

The Pasadena Police Department is part of the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  The Los Angeles ICAC program is one of 46 networked, regional task forces across the US.  The ICAC Task Force has jurisdiction in every state and internationally, preventing criminals who attempt to avoid prosecution by committing crimes from a distance, using the internet.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Child Pornography Arrests

PASADENA, CA - On April 4, 2007 the Pasadena Police Department will graduate the third class of the Citiizen Police Academy - Teen Edition.  The ceremonies will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Brookside Club House, 1133 Rosemont Ave., in Pasadena.

Forty-five Pasadena area teens participated in the 8-session academy that began in early February.  The academy provided the youth with an overview of the operations of the department which included touring the police facility, learning how the K-9 officer works with his/her partner dog, how evidence is collected and processed, how 9-1-1 dispatchers take calls, and a ride-along to learn how field officers perform their job.  The teens also participated in hands on simulated firearms training and incident role playing.

The purpose of the Teen Academy is to provided high-school age youth an opportunity to interact with positive police employee role models and also to give them an insight into various law-enforcement careers.  The Teen Citizen Academy is offered to youth 14 to18 years of age each year.

“These young men and women are at a stage in their lives where they will be making major decisions for their future.  To experience first-hand how Police Officers work in and with the community and to create a partnership of understanding and trust could essentially make all the difference in the type of citizen they chose to be.”  Say’s Chief Bernard Melekian.

For more information, please contact the Community Services Section at 626 744-4551.

To view the PDF version of this Press Release click: Teens Graduate