Pasadena Police Department: Address, Phone Number, Division, County

The Pasadena Police Department, commonly known as PPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency responsible for public safety within the City of Pasadena, California. Its work includes emergency response, neighbourhood patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, special-event security and community policing.

Residents should select the correct contact method according to the seriousness of the situation. Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger, a weapon is involved or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is required. For incidents that do not require an emergency response, call the department’s non-emergency number at 626-744-4241.

Unlike departments serving some larger cities, Pasadena does not operate several public precinct stations. Police services are primarily delivered from one central headquarters, while patrol officers are assigned through a Community Service Area policing model.

Pasadena Police Department Quick Information

Pasadena Police Department Address and Headquarters

The Pasadena Police Department’s main facility is located at:

• 207 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101

The headquarters is part of Pasadena’s Civic Center area. It contains the public Records counter, administrative offices, investigative functions, communications services, property management and the Pasadena City Jail.

The general department telephone number is 626-744-4501. This number can be used for administrative questions and assistance in identifying the appropriate police unit.

The headquarters address should not replace calling for immediate assistance. Call 911 when someone is in danger or a crime is actively taking place. For a delayed incident or another non-emergency matter, call 626-744-4241 before visiting.

Important Pasadena Police Phone Numbers

Call 911 when:

• A crime is currently happening
• Someone is in immediate danger
• A firearm, knife or another weapon is involved
• A suspect is still present or nearby
• Someone has suffered a serious injury
• Domestic violence is taking place
• A serious collision requires emergency assistance
• Urgent police, fire or medical services are needed

Call 626-744-4241 for situations that do not present an immediate threat. Appropriate uses may include:

• A crime discovered after the offender has left
• Suspicious activity that is no longer happening
• Property damage discovered later
• A delayed theft or burglary report
• A non-injury hit-and-run involving known information
• A request for police advice or assistance
• A report that does not qualify for online filing

Anonymous information about serious or violent crime may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. A Crime Stoppers tip is not an official police report. Crime victims should contact PPD directly rather than using the anonymous tip system.

Pasadena Police Patrol Areas

Pasadena Police uses a Community Service Area model for neighbourhood patrol. Each service area is supervised by a police lieutenant who works with neighbourhood representatives, residents and businesses on public-safety concerns.

The service-area model helps PPD address:

• Emergency and non-emergency calls
• Recurring neighbourhood crime
• Business-area concerns
• Traffic problems
• Public park safety
• Youth-related issues
• Homelessness and behavioural-health calls
• Community events
• Crime-prevention programmes

These areas are operational police boundaries, not separate public stations. Residents do not usually need to identify their service area before requesting help. Dispatchers use the exact incident address to assign the appropriate officers.

Police boundaries may not match ZIP codes, City Council districts or commonly used neighbourhood names. The full street address is therefore more reliable than the neighbourhood name when requesting service.

Pasadena Police Department Divisions

The department’s current structure includes several major divisions and specialized sections:

• Administration
• Field Operations
• Criminal Investigations
• Special Operations
• Support Services
• Community Relations
• Air Operations

Each part of the department performs a different role while supporting Pasadena’s community-policing strategy.

Field Operations Division

The Field Operations Division provides the department’s primary response to calls for service. Its Patrol Section operates 24 hours a day.

Patrol officers may:

• Protect victims and injured people
• Secure crime scenes
• Detain or arrest suspects
• Interview witnesses
• Collect preliminary evidence
• Prepare initial police reports
• Conduct preventive patrols
• Enforce criminal and traffic laws
• Work with residents on neighbourhood concerns

The division also includes the Field Training Officer programme and police canine services. Newly appointed officers receive supervised field training before performing independent patrol duties.

The K-9 Unit assists with building searches, vehicle searches, evidence searches and detection duties. Certain police dogs are trained to locate narcotics or explosives.

Criminal Investigations Division

The Criminal Investigations Division conducts follow-up investigations after an initial patrol report has been prepared.

The division includes Violent Crimes and Major Crimes sections, along with specialized investigative units.

Its responsibilities include:

• Homicide investigations
• Robbery and serious-assault cases
• Residential and commercial burglary
• Vehicle theft and vehicle burglary
• Financial crimes and identity theft
• Domestic violence
• Child and elder abuse
• Sexual-assault investigations
• Electronic-crime investigations
• Fugitive apprehension
• Street-crime investigations
• Forensic services

A report is not automatically assigned to a detective. Assignment may depend on the seriousness of the offence, available evidence, identifiable suspects and workable investigative leads.

Victims seeking an update can contact the Detective Section at 626-744-4522. The police case number should be available when calling.

Special Operations Division

The Special Operations Division manages units that require specialized training, equipment or enforcement strategies.

Its functions include:

• Traffic enforcement
• Serious collision investigation
• SWAT and tactical response
• Air Operations
• Homeless Outreach and Psychiatric Evaluation Team
• Park Safety
• Safe Schools Team
• Anti-Crime Team
• Special-event security
• Counterterrorism support

Pasadena hosts nationally recognized events such as the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game and major sporting and entertainment events at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Police personnel work with other city departments and public-safety agencies to prepare security, traffic and emergency-response plans for these events.

Support Services Division

The Support Services Division manages many of the systems required for daily police operations.

Its responsibilities include:

• Emergency and non-emergency communications
• Citywide 911 services
• Police radio systems
• Records management
• Property and evidence
• Crime analysis
• Police technology
• Department vehicles and equipment
• Building management
• Administrative support

The Emergency Communications Section answers 911 calls and dispatches police personnel. Dispatchers may continue asking questions while officers are already being sent to the location. Callers should remain on the line until told that they may disconnect.

What County Is the Pasadena Police Department In?

The Pasadena Police Department is located in Los Angeles County, California. However, its regular jurisdiction is based on Pasadena city limits rather than the entire county.

PPD is separate from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Pasadena police officers provide municipal policing within Pasadena. The Sheriff’s Department operates the county jail system, provides courthouse security and handles law-enforcement services in unincorporated areas and contract cities.

Nearby cities such as South Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia and Glendale operate separate police departments. A crime occurring in one of those cities should normally be reported to that city’s police agency.

An address may use Pasadena as its mailing city without being within Pasadena’s municipal limits. The exact incident location determines which police or sheriff’s agency should take the report.

Filing a Pasadena Police Report

A police report may be initiated by:

• Calling 911 during an emergency
• Calling 626-744-4241 for a non-emergency
• Visiting PPD headquarters
• Using the online Citizen Police Reporting System for an eligible incident

The online system accepts selected reports involving:

• Lost property
• Theft
• Theft from a vehicle
• Identity theft
• Vandalism
• Vehicle vandalism
• Certain hit-and-run collisions

An online report can be filed only when the incident:

• Is not an emergency
• Occurred within Pasadena city limits
• Did not happen on a state freeway
• Does not require immediate evidence collection
• Meets the conditions shown in the reporting questionnaire

Online hit-and-run reporting is intended for incidents with no known suspect or usable suspect-vehicle information. Call 626-744-4241 when the driver is known, a licence plate was obtained or someone was injured.

After filing online, the reporting person receives a police case number and can print a copy without charge. All online reports are reviewed, and the person may be contacted when further information or investigation is required.

Reporting Identity Theft and Financial Crime

Some identity-theft and financial-crime reports require a separate form.

The completed form must be printed and delivered or mailed to:

• Pasadena Police Department
• Records Section
• 207 N. Garfield Avenue
• Pasadena, CA 91101

The reporting person may be required to sign the form in the presence of a police employee.

When the victim personally knows the suspect, call the non-emergency number instead of relying only on the financial-crime form.

Obtaining Police and Traffic Reports

The Records Section public counter is located at police headquarters.

• Records Section
• 207 N. Garfield Avenue
• Pasadena, CA 91101
• Telephone: 626-744-4565

Its regular counter hours are:

• Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday and holidays: Closed

The Records counter can assist with:

• Police report copies
• Traffic collision reports
• Stored and impounded vehicle releases
• Local record information
• Certain registrations
• Subpoena-related services
• Fingerprinting for approved purposes

A requester should provide:

• Police case number
• Incident date and approximate time
• Exact location
• Names of involved people
• Type of record requested
• Government-issued identification
• Proof of involvement or authorization

Some records may be withheld or partly redacted to protect juveniles, victims, witnesses, confidential sources, personal information and active investigations.

Requests for 911 recordings, body-camera footage, crime statistics, calls-for-service logs or larger investigative files may need to be submitted through the city’s Public Records Act portal.

Property and Evidence

The Property Management Section stores:

• Crime-scene evidence
• Found property
• Recovered stolen property
• Property held for safekeeping
• Seized items
• Items awaiting court proceedings

The unit can be contacted at 626-744-4510.

Its general operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The public window for property returns is generally open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Money is released by appointment only. Evidence cannot normally be returned until the assigned detective or responsible unit removes the investigative or court hold.

A person collecting property should bring valid identification, the police case number and any release documents. Another person may need written authorization and additional proof of legal authority.

Towed and Impounded Vehicles

Police-related vehicle releases are handled through the Records Section. Parking-related releases may require assistance from the City of Pasadena Parking Office.

To ask about a vehicle that may have been towed, call 626-744-6440.

The registered owner generally needs:

• A valid driver’s licence
• Current vehicle documents
• Proof of ownership
• Payment of applicable city charges
• Payment of towing and storage fees

The owner, legal owner or authorized agent may have the right to request a post-storage hearing to challenge whether the vehicle was lawfully towed. Hearing requests and parking-release questions can be directed to 626-744-7665.

Vehicles held for criminal investigation may not be released until the police hold has been removed.

Pasadena City Jail

The Pasadena Police Department operates a city jail connected to its headquarters. It is used for temporary detention, booking and certain approved sentences.

People arrested by Pasadena police may initially be held at the city jail. Depending on the charge, bail status, court schedule and custody decision, a detainee may later be released, taken to court or transferred to a Los Angeles County jail facility.

Pasadena also operates a fee-paying inmate worker programme for qualified people serving approved misdemeanor sentences. Participation requires court authorization and acceptance by the jail.

Questions concerning the inmate worker programme can be directed to 626-744-4617.

For information about someone transferred to Los Angeles County custody, call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s inmate-information line at 213-473-6100.

Complaints About Pasadena Police Conduct

A complaint concerning a Pasadena Police Department employee may be made to any police supervisor or the Professional Standards Unit.

Complaints may be submitted:

• In person
• By telephone
• By mail
• By email
• Through the online complaint form
• Anonymously
• By a witness or another person who was not directly involved

The Watch Commander or a police supervisor can be contacted at 626-744-4620. General enquiries concerning the Professional Standards Unit can be directed to 626-744-7691.

Useful complaint information includes:

• Incident date and time
• Exact location
• Officer’s name or identification number
• Police vehicle number
• Case, citation or call number
• Witness details
• Photographs, recordings or video
• A clear description of what happened

The officer’s name is helpful but not required. After receiving a complaint, the Professional Standards Unit assigns a file number and conducts or coordinates the investigation.

The average complaint investigation takes approximately three to six months, although complex cases may take longer. The complainant receives written notice explaining the final resolution.

Community Police Oversight Commission

Pasadena has a Community Police Oversight Commission, commonly known as CPOC, and an Independent Police Auditor.

The commission reviews police policies, community concerns, complaint statistics and use-of-force information. The Independent Police Auditor can review the handling and outcome of Police Department complaints.

A person who files a misconduct complaint with PPD can also notify the commission so the complaint is known for oversight and auditing purposes.

The commission does not replace 911, criminal reporting or the Professional Standards complaint process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Pasadena have several police precinct stations?

A: No. PPD primarily operates from one headquarters at 207 North Garfield Avenue. Patrol coverage is divided through Community Service Areas rather than separate public precinct buildings.

Q: Is 626-744-4241 Pasadena’s non-emergency police number?

A: Yes. Use it for police matters that are not emergencies. Call 911 when someone is in danger, a crime is happening or immediate assistance is required.

Q: Can I report a burglary online?

A: The online system covers selected theft and property incidents. A burglary involving unlawful entry into a home or business may require direct police reporting, particularly when evidence or suspect information is available.

Q: Can I report a stolen vehicle online?

A: The standard online categories do not include theft of an entire motor vehicle. Call 626-744-4241, or call 911 when the theft is happening or the suspect is nearby.

Q: Can I report an accident that happened on a freeway to PPD?

A: Incidents on California state freeways are generally handled by the California Highway Patrol. Contact CHP unless emergency dispatch directs otherwise.

Q: Can a visitor file a Pasadena police report?

A: Yes. A person does not need to live in Pasadena to report a crime that occurred within city limits. Visitors should provide reliable permanent contact information and keep the case number.

Q: Does a Pasadena mailing address always fall under PPD?

A: No. Some addresses using Pasadena as their mailing city may be outside municipal boundaries. The exact incident location determines whether PPD, another city department or the Sheriff’s Department has jurisdiction.

Q: How can I check the status of my investigation?

A: Call the Detective Section at 626-744-4522 and provide the police case number. Not every report is assigned to a detective, and some cases may not have an immediate update.

Q: Does PPD operate its own jail?

A: Yes. Pasadena has a city jail used for temporary detention and certain court-approved sentences. People requiring county custody may later be transferred to a Los Angeles County jail.

Q: How do I know whether an arrested person was transferred?

A: Contact Pasadena Police first when the arrest was recent. For someone transferred to county custody, use the Los Angeles County inmate-information service at 213-473-6100.

Q: Can someone else collect my property?

A: Possibly. The representative may need written authorization, valid identification and proof of legal authority. Evidence also requires approval from the assigned investigator before release.

Q: Can I challenge the towing of my vehicle?

A: An owner, legal owner or authorized agent may request a post-storage hearing in eligible cases. Contact the Pasadena Parking Office promptly because legal deadlines apply.

Q: Do I need the officer’s name to make a complaint?

A: No. Provide the date, time, location, physical description, police vehicle information and any report or citation number. These details may help identify the employee.

Q: Can the Community Police Oversight Commission investigate my complaint instead of PPD?

A: The Professional Standards Unit remains responsible for the department’s complaint-investigation process. The commission and Independent Police Auditor provide civilian review, monitoring and recommendations.

Q: Can Pasadena Police take a report for an incident in South Pasadena?

A: Normally not. South Pasadena is a separate city with its own police department. The agency responsible for the location where the incident occurred should generally take the report.