Behind the Badge
Military veterans, former college athletes, a former sales manager from major corporation, a gymnast and former collegiate athletes were among the new crop of Pasadena Police Officers introduced to the public at the department’s Swearing-in/Promotional Ceremony held July 23 at the Pasadena Library.
The library’s auditorium was filled with family members, friends, city officials and employees of the Police Department.
The diverse contingent of 11 new officers also included lateral from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and former correctional officer.
Chief John Perez, who presided over the ceremony, also introduced to the three new civilian members of the department
The ceremony was also highlighted by four promotions.
Sean Dawkins is promoted to Lieutenant, he shakes hands with Pasadena Police Chief John Perez during the Pasadena Police Department’s Swearing in Promotional Ceremony at the Central Library Auditorium in Pasadena on July 23, 2019. (Photo by James Carbone)
Jason Clawson was promoted from lieutenant to commander, the first commander promotion in three years, the chief said.
Sean Dawkins and Kim Smith were promoted from sergeants to lieutenants and Susan Gomez was promoted to sergeant.
Sabrina Dennis, a civilian employee, was promoted to supervisor.
Perez spoke of three character traits which everyone should aspire to embrace in both professional and personal settings.
“There are secret ingredients that we look for every day in what we do for in our success,” Perez said. “They’ve worked incredibly well for professional sports teams, fortune-500 companies as well as families and friends who support us.”
Surround yourself with a dependable support network, the chief said.
Raymond Cardenas receives his Pasadena Police badge his family pins the badge onto him during the Pasadena Police Department’s Swearing in Promotional Ceremony at the Central Library Auditorium in Pasadena on July 23, 2019. (Photo by James Carbone)
Maintain an attitude of service in all endeavors and try to put others ahead of yourself, he said.
“We make mistakes and we have the scar tissue to prove it,” Perez said. “And we’re willing to come back to work and do better.”
All honorees received a medallion inscribed with the key elements of the Pasadena Way: community service, applying the personal touch, being proactive, How we get the job done is just as important as getting the job done, being fair but firm, excellence, innovation and integrity.
Promotion to Commander-Jason Clawson
Clawson has served in numerous divisions since joining Pasadena PD in 1991. In 2005, he was awarded the Chief’s Award for Excellence for working a complicated murder case. He was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and worked a variety of enforcement assignments including undercover, narcotics, intelligence and special enforcemen.
In 2012, Clawson traveled to El Salvador as part of a central American law enforcement exchange program which involved working to solve the international gang problem. Clawson was promoted to lieutenant in 2013 and became Adjunct to the Police Chief and Media Coordinator.
He oversees the Criminal Investigation Division and Media Relations.
Prior to joining the department, Clawson served in the U.S. Navy and travelled the world twice by sea aboard the USS Ogden LPD-5, out of Long Beach
Pasadena Police officer Jason Clawson is promoted to Commander, Pasadena Police Chief John Perez talks about Clawson’s professionalism during the Pasadena Police Department’s Swearing in Promotional Ceremony at the Central Library Auditorium in Pasadena on July 23, 2019. (Photo by James Carbone)
Promotion to Lieutenant-Sean Dawkins
Dawkins joined Pasadena PD in 2004 and has worked Patrol, Special Enforcement, was a SWAT team leader and gang investigator.
He is currently assigned to Community Services Section.
Before going into law enforcement, Dawkins served six years as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, attached to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, Scout Sniper Platoon.
He earned a combat action ribbon and was honorably discharged in 2004.
Promotion to Lieutenant-Kim Smith
A 22 year veteran of the department, Smith has had an array of assignments, including Patrol, Professional Standards, Community Services, Detectives and Air Operations.
Smith has also been the lead investigator for PPD critical incident reviews including officer involved shootings and in custody deaths.
Promotion to Sergeant-Susan Gomez
Gomez joined Pasadena PD in 2003 and has worked Patrol and undercover assignments in the Special Investigations Unit as a Vice Narcotics Officer.
Gomez has also been an investigator in the Professional Standards Unit. She currently works in the training unit.
Promotion to Supervisor-Sabrina Dennis
Dennis was hired by Pasadena PD in 2014 as a Detention Officer. She was promoted to the civilian position of Police Supervisor on April 29.
New police officers
Dylan Alexander, Brandon Anderson, John Cybulski, Raymond Cardenas, Edwin Dumaguindin, Grant Haggard, Brittni Hulsizer, Alejandro Loeza, Molliane Reiter, Ronald Sereno and Erick Urquieta.
New civilian employees
Itzel Gomez (dispatcher), Stacy Sunnaa (dispatcher) and Sonia Morin (police support assistant).
Brandon Anderson receives his Pasadena Police badge Pasadena Police Department’s Swearing in Promotional Ceremony at the Central Library Auditorium in Pasadena on July 23, 2019. (Photo by James Carbone)
