Staff Reports
The Pasadena Police Department dropped a dashcam video this week that answers a question nobody wanted to ask: what happens when sworn officers treat loaded firearms like toys? The footage shows what the department called “unsafe and out‑of‑policy horseplay” that ended with one officer being struck in the shoulder. Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris has said disciplinary measures were taken — but the public still deserves to know exactly what those measures were and whether anyone faces criminal review.
What the dashcam shows: quick‑draw horseplay turned real shooting
The video, taken in a department parking structure, captures a patrol car pulling up while two officers stood by another vehicle. One standing officer makes a quick‑draw motion and points his service weapon at the approaching cruiser. The officer in the car then draws his gun, a round is fired, the bullet goes through the windshield, and the standing officer is hit in the shoulder. Reporters note the dashcam angle does not clearly show the exact moment of discharge, but the chain of events is clear enough: joking with loaded guns, an accidental hit, and a lucky recovery for the wounded officer.
Why this matters for gun safety, training, and public trust
This isn’t a private joke among friends — it’s a department safety failure that could have killed someone. Police officers carry firearms so the public can be protected, not endangered by sloppy behavior. Californians and taxpayers deserve better training, tighter protocols, and leadership that enforces them. When officers point guns at one another for laughs, it reveals either a dangerous culture or a breakdown in discipline — neither of which should be tolerated.
Chief Harris’ response and the thin veneer of accountability
Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris called the shooting “unsafe and out‑of‑policy horseplay” and said disciplinary measures were imposed after an administrative review. That’s the statement every chief gives when bad conduct hits the headlines. What we don’t have is detail: were officers suspended, retrained, reassigned, or decertified? Is the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office reviewing the incident for criminal charges? Transparency isn’t optional when public safety is at stake.
Let’s be blunt: releasing the video was the right move, but it should be the start, not the finish, of accountability. The department should publish the full administrative findings, state what discipline was imposed, and confirm whether POST review or criminal investigation is ongoing. Citizens who trust police to handle guns responsibly deserve clarity — not euphemisms and vague promises. And to any cop who thinks quick‑draw horseplay is clever: next time the target won’t just be your shoulder, it’ll be the public’s trust. That’s a shot we can’t afford to miss.
