Pasadena's First Latino Police Chief Announces Retirement

PASADENA, TX — Pasadena Police Chief Al Espinoza made history in 2017 when he became the Hispanic to lead the Pasadena Police Department, but last month, the 37-year police veteran announced he was hanging up his shield and calling it a career.

On Tuesday, the Pasadena City Council voted 7-2 to accept Espinoza's resignation, leaving some city council members a bit perplexed.

“You’ve done a great job doing what you’ve done,” Councilman Sammy Casados said during the meeting.. “Matter of fact, crime is down. I don’t understand why you’re leaving.”

Espinoza was appointed by Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner to replace the retiring Chief Michael Thaler.

Espinoza’s ascension to the top cop's job in Pasadena was seen as a harbinger for a community that is more than 60 percent Hispanic, and a way to heal a community that became divided as a result of efforts by the previous administration to dilute the voting power of Latinos.

Now, Espinoza, whose retirement is official on Nov. 30, is out, and Assistant Chief of Police Josh Bruegger has stepped in to fill the role until a new replacement is permanently named.

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