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Office of Independent Review begins investigation into Pasadena police shooting of Kendrec McDade
Investigators from the L.A. Office of Independent Review Rob Miller and Michael Gennaco, April 5, 2012. They spoke to media outside of Pasadena Police headquarters after meeting with the police chief and city manager about the investigation into the police-involved shooting of unarmed teen Kendrec McDade.
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Office of Independent Review begins investigation into Pasadena police shooting of Kendrec McDade
Los Angeles County’s Office of Independent Review has begun to examine a recent Pasadena police shooting of unarmed 19-year-old black man Kendrec McDade. A false 911 call about an armed robbery led police to believe the man had a gun. Investigators and Pasadena police officials met Thursday.
The independent review office’s chief attorney Michael Gennaco met with Pasadena’s police chief and city manager. Gennaco said they’ll focus on the emergency phone call, the officer-involved shooting and the police response — including that of the officer who shot McDade from inside his patrol car.
“We review 50 shootings a year," Gennaco said. "In the course of 10 years we’ve looked at close to 500 shootings. And while it is a little bit rare, it’s something we’ve seen before.”
Gennaco said the department doesn’t prefer that tactic, but does permit it. He said his office invites anyone to provide testimony for review.
The civilian oversight group has a history with the Pasadena Police Department. The Office of Independent Review investigated the 2009 police shooting of Leroy Barnes, Jr. Investigators suggested several departmental policy recommendations after that review.
The attorney who represents McDade said she’d like another independent agency to review the case.
Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez has recently asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own probe.
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