Should Pasadena Chief Melekian resign?
There's a growing amount of anti-police sentiment brewing in Northwest Pasadena following the officer involved shooting that claimed the life of Leroy Barnes.
Much of the anger and outrage has been directed at Pasadena police Chief Barney Melekian, who stumbled in his initial statements to the press and subsequent appearance at City Hall Monday night.
Doubtless, Melekian was looking to exit the police department when he accepted a role as the citys acting city manager. In light of the recent shooting and brewing community unrest, is it time for Melekian to resign?
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
Do you really think it is "doubtless" that M wanted out of the PD? I didn't get that impression when I interviewed him. He had conveyed that he was more curious about being in a different position than anything else. Not knowing the inside, it seemed like an interesting break for him. He shows by example an openness to learning new things. It makes him more than just another police chief and it gives him depth.
I don't want him to resign. We need his strong leadership now more than ever. Plus he is a proponent of education for the force which is sorely needed.
Something happened while he was gone, I suspect, changes. Things put in place then perhaps are fruiting now, like a sabotage. I mean that in the context of mental health and evaluation among the current rank and file-- not a unique concern for Pasadena.
To protect and serve means we employ officers that do not put their own safety above those they are PAID to protect. It's part of the job, right? Like being a soldier is a sacrifice. Being vulnerable does not mean being weak. I don't know what happened in this case exactly, but it doesn't change the issue of responsible use of power and authority. We need assurance of that (over and over again).
Of course, you know what a wild imagination I have and that I talk with the wrong end of the earthworm up. I recommend seeing the film by Forrest Whitaker, Crips and Bloods. It suggests a good explanation for why certain organizations roll the way they do.