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Brian Solinsky, a 27-year veteran of the South Pasadena Police Department who is currently serving as acting chief, has been appointed to be the department’s permanent chief commanding 36 sworn officers, 15 full-time, non-sworn personnel and an annual budget of $10 million.
“I have been impressed with Acting Chief Solinsky’s leadership since Chief Joe Ortiz’ departure late last year,” said Interim City Manager Sean Joyce, who made the decision. “Under Brian’s leadership, the Police Department has already renewed its commitment to community engagement and initiated training programs aimed at police accountability and inclusiveness.”
In a press release, Joyce said the decision came after a recruitment and two rounds of interviews conducted separately by a panel of four community members and a panel of South Pasadena Fire Chief Paul Riddle and three police chiefs, including former South Pasadena police chief Art Miller.
“Now, with the benefit of the insights of eight interview panelists who evaluated four finalists, I am even more confident that Acting Chief Solinsky is the best candidate to lead the men and women of the South Pasadena Police Department during this transformational era in municipal law enforcement,” Joyce said.
“It is an honor to have been selected as the next Chief of Police for the City of South Pasadena,” Solinsky said in a statement. “I look forward to my continued service to this great city in this new position of leadership. I embrace contemporary policing philosophies that promote efficiency, effectiveness, and the equitable treatment of all. I am committed to strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and our citizens. I believe it is only through this partnership that a police department’s true success can be measured, and I pledge to serve the South Pasadena community with integrity and distinction.”
In making the decision, Joyce said he consulted with his “apparent successor,” Armine Chaparyan, who is expected to be appointed city manager during a city council meeting Wednesday evening.
