Pasadena Chief of Police Pulls Rogue Cops Off-Duty

Pasadena Chief of Police Sanchez has pulled two rogue cops off the beat as a result of public outcry in the Chris Ballew beating. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

Public pressure on Pasadena police results in ‘desk jobs’

By Terry Miller

In what can only be described as sheer public disgust and outcry at two police officers’ actions in the beating of Chris Ballew last year, Pasadena PD Chief Sanchez has pulled the two rogue cops off the beat.

Officers Larry Esparza and Zachary Lujan, two police officers who were involved in the Chris Ballew beating that garnered national attention, subsequently received less than a slap on the wrist when Sanchez said they acted within policy guidelines.

Pasadena PIO Lisa Derderian confirmed that the officers were “reassigned from SES but not sure to where yet…”

The two cops have now been taken off the streets. Public pressure finally sealed the officers’ fate, at least for now.

Repeatedly, Attorney Dale Groenmeir spoke of his grave concerns, with particular regard to the beating of Chris Ballew, as did scores of community leaders and the NAACP.

Pasadena was outraged when the two rogue officers appeared at the annual Black History Parade in February. Councilman Tyron Hampton called the choice to send Esparza and Lujan to the parade a “horrible judgment call.”

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