Pasadena Police Community Mediation Program

The Pasadena Police Community Mediation Program began in 2005 and is the only program of its kind in Los Angeles County. It is a collaborative partnership between the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) and the Western Justice Center developed to mediate civilian complaints against police officers and build more understanding between the Pasadena community and the police.

Mediation (View Pasadena Police Community Mediation Program flyer)

The confidential and voluntary mediation model used in this program engages a trained, impartial third party who facilitates communication and negotiation between the PPD employee and civilian.

The process promotes self-determination, empathy, problem-solving, effective communication, understanding, and durable solutions.

The program provides an opportunity for both the PPD employee and the civilian to discuss their issues in a safe and impartial environment. The police and community members are able to collaborate with one another rather than treat each other as adversaries and to have their complaints dealt with in an efficient manner.

Since the beginning of the program, all cases that have come to mediation have been successfully resolved. Looking forward, the program is expanding to include conflict resolution training education and mediation of disputes between PPD employees so they can focus on better serving the Pasadena community.

Dialogues

In addition to alternative dispute resolution for complaints, the Pasadena Police Department and Western Justice Center work collaboratively toward identifying community concerns and strategies for prodcutive inter-group dialogues. The dialogues enhance the Police Departments' efforts toward providing public safety to a diverse community of stakeholders.

Community Youth Peacebuilders

Western Justice Center collaborates with the City of Pasadena Human Services & Recreation Department to provide an afterschool program at both Jackie Robinson Community Center and Villa Park. The program will take place once a month at each respective park with topics ranging from finance to salsa lessons including conflict resolution trainings and dialogues for Pasadena Youth to discuss issues that are important to them.

For more information contact lark@westernjustice.org