Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission Meeting: September 10, 2026

The Pasadena Community Police Oversight Commission met on September 10, 2026. The police department presented its annual military-equipment report, which cited approximately $473,000 in related expenditures against a police budget of about $122 million. Reported costs included helicopter flights, equipment and ammunition, and maintenance for the Bearcat and mobile command vehicle. The department said the City Council had approved purchasing two new, non-military helicopters; officials did not provide their price. The department is also considering additional drones for patrol and other responses, and is researching throwable unmanned ground systems. No procurement award or spending vote occurred at this meeting; these additional items were described as planned or under consideration.

The commission’s ALPR ad hoc committee presented its review of community feedback and plans to develop policy priorities and recommendations for the department, with a report and commission vote expected in October. Members clarified that the commission advises on technology policy and governance, while vendor selection, contracts, and procurement decisions rest with the City Council. Public commenters raised concerns about surveillance, transparency, and ALPR-related requirements in a mobile audio-video system RFP. The meeting also included updates on forthcoming technology-policy reviews, including AI-assisted report writing. The commission approved the August 13 minutes, but that vote did not concern procurement.