Independent Agency to Audit Pasadena Police After Misconduct Allegations

The Pasadena Police Department will submit to an independent review after the actions of two police officers resulted in a mistrial in a 2007 homicide case.

A judge said earlier this year that detectives Kevin Okamoto and William Broghamer improperly handled evidence and engaged in misconduct during an investigation into a 2007 homicide case.

The audit of the department will be conducted by Los Angeles-based Veritas Assurance Group, according to a Pasadena Police news release.

"The allegation of misconduct against the two members of our department is deeply concerning and has an immense impact on our employees and the community we serve," said Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez in a prepared statement. "I will not tolerate any misconduct. However, I would caution against broad-based assumptions of our professional men and women based on the allegations against a few."

Veritas will examine cases conducted by the two officers in question back to 2005, the release states. The departement's own internal affairs bureau will continue its own inquiry into the matter, according to the release.