By Lookout Staff

June 17, 2010 -- A Santa Monica Deputy Police Chief Phillip L. Sanchez, a 30-year veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), was named this week as the new police chief for the City of Pasadena. He will begin his new job on July 11.

“Phil Sanchez has a strong background in police management and a reputation as a leader who is sensitive to community issues,” Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck said in a press release. “I am confident he will be well-received in the Pasadena community and the Pasadena Police Department.”

Sanchez, 53, has spent his entire law enforcement career in this city. He is among the founders of Santa Monica’s Chronic Homeless Project and he helped develop the Serial Inebriate Outreach Program, which provides counseling to homeless persons with alcohol and drug dependency issues as an alternative to incarceration. He received the SMPD’s Medal of Courage twice for heroic actions during tactical operations. Sanchez also was the recipient of the department’s Medal of Merit for development of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) program.

For the past 10 years, Sanchez has taught at the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy as an adjunct instructor and frequently lectures at local schools, colleges and universities on a variety of topics. He recently was selected to serve on an advisory commission exploring the development of a course in homeland security for Santa Monica College.

Sanchez said in a Pasadena press release, “I have deep respect for the men and women of the Pasadena Police Department, which has a tremendous reputation in the world of law enforcement. I also am a strong proponent of community collaboration and integration. A police department or police chief cannot improve public safety alone; it requires an entire community working together.”

Sanchez and his wife Deborah live in Orange County. They have four adult children and three grandchildren. He is an avid bicyclist.

The Pasadena Police Department has a $61 million budget, 262 sworn officers and 144 civilian employees.