Pasadena removes officer who shot another cop in department's parking garage

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(The Center Square) - An officer with the Pasadena Police Department is no longer employed by the city after shooting a fellow officer in the department’s parking garage last September. 

Dashcam video of the incident shows an officer brandishing his weapon, pointing it in the direction of Officer Roy Alatorre and then reholstering it before Alatorre shot him in the arm through the windshield.

Alatorre received $271,257.27 in 2024 in salary and benefits, according to the most-recently uploaded payroll records from Transparent California.

According to the city, the other officer who initially brandished his weapon has recovered from his injuries and remains employed. Mayor Victor Gordo declined to provide the officer's name, stating he was "not at liberty to discuss" whether the officer was disciplined. Nevertheless, Gordo referred to the behaviors of "both officers" as "juvenile" and "unacceptable."

"I am sorry that this has occurred," Gordo said. "We have just under 250 sworn officers ... We should not allow the actions of two individuals to taint an entire police department."

The department released the video approximately nine months after the incident in an effort to comply with state transparency laws.

Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris has not yet responded to requests for an interview, but in a prepared video statement, he referred to the incident as “horseplay” that “will not be tolerated.” 

"This regretful conduct is not consistent with the expectations and service commitments of this department,” Harris said. “Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure our culture reflects appropriate conduct, values and service to this community.”

A criminal investigation is pending, according to Harris.