News & Events
Future events and Pasadena Police Foundation activities, as well as news about recent events, will be posted to this area of the site on a regular basis. Please return to the site for updates to the Foundation’s activities.
Police foundation supports operation polar wind
The Foundation supported the Pasadena Police Department’s Air Operations and Huntington Health annual Operation Polar Wind, a program that brings “Santa Clause” in a Pasadena Police helicopter to the rooftop of Huntington Memorial to bring presents to children who were not able to celebrate Christmas at home.
To view the Pasadena Now article about the students click here.
Photo Credit: Huntington Health
2022 Chief’s Breakfast Recap
The foundation held its annual Chief’s Breakfast and it was a great success.
For more details and photos please click here to view the Pasadena Now article about the event.
ANNUAL CHIEF’S BREAKFAST 2022
Please save the date for our upcoming annual fundraiser.
When: October 18, 2022 7:30 am to 9:00 am
Where: Pasadena Convention Center, Ballroom DE, 300 East Green Street Pasadena, CA 91101
A silent and live auction will be held to raise money to support the foundation’s programs and local youth.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
ANNUAL CHIEF’S BREAKFAST 2021
Please save the date for our upcoming annual fundraiser.
When: October 12, 2021 7:30 am to 9:00 am
Where: Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
A silent and live auction will be held to raise money to support the foundation’s programs and local youth.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
PPF Donates 15 Laptops to local Youth
The Foundation used proceeds from its annual Chief’s Breakfast to provide fifteen outstanding local youth will laptop computers as they head off to college.
To see the Pasadena Now article about the students click here.
PPF Donates to Pasadena Unified School District
The Foundation successfully raised $30,000 at its annual Chief’s Breakfast which was used to support the local students with remote learning and other technology needs they required as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To see the Pasadena Now article about our efforts click here.
2020 Virtual Chief’s Breakfast and Silent Auction
Join the Pasadena Police Foundation for its first ever virtual Chief’s Breakfast.
The event will be taking place at 9:00 a.m. on November 12, 2020.
To register for the event or bid on silent auction items click here.
PPD Explorers Graduate
On June 16th, 2018, the Pasadena Police Department bid farewell to eight graduating seniors from the Department’s Explorers program. Each graduate was provided with a new laptop, purchased with a donation from the PPF, to help with their transition to college.
The ceremony was highlighted in an article for Behind the Badge and can be found here.
2020 Mid-Year Review
Even with the challenges the community has faced this year, the PPF has been able to continue its support of the Pasadena Police Department and the community.
Areas of support have included:
Citizens Assisting Pasadena Police (CAPP) Program donation
Purchase of a new K-9 and repair to K-9 unit vehicle
Purchase of meals for COVID-19 first responders
Lease of van used in the Department’s youth programs
Purchase of computers for graduated of the PPD’s Explorers Program
Purchase of Computers for student participants in the Pasadena/Altadena Coalition of Transformative Leaders (PACTL) programs
October 2019 Kids Safety ACADEMY Graduation
KSA held its graduation ceremony for its most recent class. The children were all smiles!
2019 Chief’s Breakfast
The PPF held our annual Chief’s Breakfast on October 3, 2019. Chief John Perez provided a presentation on the current state of the Department and his plans for the future. As a result of the community’s continued support and generosity we were able to raise over $40,000 which will be used to further PPF programs and provide financial support to the Department.
PPF Receives Grant from Pasadena Host Lions Club Memorial Trust
The Pasadena Police Foundation was recently awarded a grant from the Pasadena Host Lions Club Memorial Trust to help support the Kids Safety Academy. PPF board member Gilbert Mares accepted the award on our behalf at the August 6, 2019 Lions Club meeting in Pasadena.
NBC4 News Story on PPF Award Recipient Police Specialist Michelle White
K-9 Retirement Party
On April 30, Several members of the local community joined us at the Police Heliport to celebrate the retirement of K-9 team members. After several years of devoted service to Pasadena, Officer Tom Brown and his partner “Brock” (German Shepard) and Officer Steve Arcand and his partner “Figo” (Belgian Trevuren) are retiring. The Pasadena community is greatful for all they have done and wish them the best!
Kids Safety Academy is Now Accepting Applications
The Pasadena Police Department is now accepting applications for the Pasadena Kids Safety Academy. The 5-week program engages children ages 6-12 and their parents in safety awareness. Classes are held Saturday mornings 9 am to 12 pm at various locations in Pasadena and cover a variety of topics to include calling 9-1-1, fire safety, disaster preparedness, bicycle safety, and much more.
The next session will be held Saturday, April 27th through Saturday, June 1st. Please note, there will be no class on Saturday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.
The program is free. Class space is limited to 25 children. Call (626)744-4551 to enroll your child today!
ANNUAL Chief's Breakfast
The 2018 Chief’s Breakfast was a big success with approximately 250 attendees. Funds were raised toward the purchase of a 2019 PPD Explorer van which will provide transportation for the Explorers to various activities and events, including assisting law enforcement at multiple large-scale City events. The Explorer program is for youth ages 14-21 and provides an environment for youth and young adults to work with officers, build life skills and self-reliance, and the possibility of a career in law enforcement. The Pasadena Police Explorer program currently has over 40 young people who are active in civic engagement, public service, and leadership roles within the community.
The Foundation was proud to recognize Park Safety Specialist Michelle White as the 2018 Myron Yanish Officer of the Year.
Police Specialist Michelle White
Michelle White spent her youth in Pasadena. After high school, she started both her family and business, operating a daycare center where she nurtured kids and developed her passion for mentoring young people. In 2002, Ms. White began her career at the Pasadena Police Department as a Park Safety Specialist (PSS). For the past
16 years, PSS White has played an instrumental role in creating family-friendly environments within the City’s 24 parks. However, it is her outreach to youth that makes her truly unique.
The mother of six children, PSS White has also been a foster parent and has actively taken on the role of mentoring many children in the Pasadena community. For ten years, PSS White has served as a Pasadena Police Explorer Advisor, imparting her wisdom, love and life skills training to youth on their path to adulthood. She routinely volunteers and partners with other City departments, interacting with hundreds of kids each year and building bonds between the police department and Pasadena residents. Currently, she is working on several projects to bridge the gap between community organizations and the police department. Most notably, she is working with NAACP, Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) at John Muir High School, and the Loveland Life Center with Pastor B.J King. Additionally, she is a Peer Support Advocate for the police department, an integral part of the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, and serves on the board for the San Gabriel Valley
Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). PSS White is always looking for ways to help people in our community and provide resources to give them a better way of life. PSS White’s efforts speak volumes on her desire and ability to make a difference in the community she serves with such distinction. We proudly salute Michelle White on her selection as this year’s Police Foundation “Myron Yanish Officer of the Year.”