Pasadena police officers sue police department for alleged discrimination and retaliation

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) – The Pasadena Police Department has been accused of racial discrimination against its own officers, with some even claiming they have been subjected to attacks.

Several former officers held a press conference with their attorney on Thursday to announce the filing of a lawsuit, alleging a history of racial discrimination in the department’s past.

“I was also attacked to the point where I was told I was a crybaby at bedtime,” Carolyn Gordon said. “I was an internal affairs lieutenant and because I spoke out against unlawful practices, I was removed from that position.”

The former officials complain of unequal treatment in the punishment of black employees and retaliation against those officials who complained of discrimination.

“These are police officers who are supposed to protect and serve our community, but they are attacking their own people, and African-American police officers in particular are being attacked and injured,” said attorney Brad Gage.

A former police officer claimed that his instructor offered an arrested man money to fight him.

“Another black police officer says his instructor paid money years ago for a suspect to fight him,” Gage said.

David Llanes of the Pasadena Police Officers Association told ABC7 this never happened.

“The claim that an instructor, that is, me, bet a prisoner 20 years ago that he would beat up my trainee is absolutely false,” he said. “It has been proven to be false.”

The City of Pasadena issued a statement Thursday saying, in part, “The City of Pasadena cannot respond to the allegations in a public debate because they involve personnel matters that are confidential under California law. Nevertheless, personnel complaints against every Pasadena Police Officer are thoroughly and fairly investigated, and all employees in our ranks are always held accountable for their actions when warranted.”

Gage said cases like this would likely take a year to resolve and go to trial.