Search For Pasadena Police Chief Ends Where It Began

PASADENA, CA — John Eduardo Perez has been named chief of the Pasadena Police Department, a job he had held on an interim basis since April, it was announced Tuesday.

Perez, a 33-year veteran of the department, became acting chief after former Chief Phil Sanchez announced his retirement.

"After conducting a five-month long national search which attracted almost 70 applicants from a range of agencies, it became clear to me that Chief Perez is what Pasadena needs at this time," said Pasadena City Manager Steve Mermell. "His knowledge of the city and of its people is certainly germane, but it is his leadership, his innovation and his willingness to work with the community that he serves which ultimately led to his selection."

Perez, a 52-year-old married father of two, will oversee a department with 325 employees and an annual budget of $82 million.

"Serving in the Pasadena Police Department for the last 30 years alongside tremendous men and women has been the honor of a lifetime," Perez said.

City News Service; Photo courtesy of the Pasadena Police Department