awsuit also points to the department's records, saying Holt's departure from the police department on July 7, 2025, was logged as a Resignation. The five lieutenants allege Holt did not meet the continuous-service requirement and argue the appointment was therefore made without legal authority. The lawsuit further states that Holt had no classified rank to return to and argues that the appointment was therefore made without legal authority. What happened before Holt's appointment? Lawsuit filed by five Pasadena police lieutenants asking judge whether Assistant Chief James Holt was properly appointed. (City of Pasadena) The lawsuit includes internal communications involving the police department's leadership. According to the lawsuit, then-Chief Jackson sent a memo to the department's commanders and lieutenants announcing his intention to select two commanders from within the rank of Commander/Lieutenant within the Pasadena Police and appoint them to the position of Assistant Chief of Police. The five lieutenants' lawsuit also includes emails concerning an effort to have Pasadena's Civil Service Commission review whether Holt could be appointed. The lawsuit says the lieutenants' attorney contacted the city about the issue in April. It includes an email in which the city's human resources director forwarded the request to Civil Service Commission Chair Blair McClure. According to the lawsuit, McClure responded that he would review the information and decide whether it needed to be brought before commission members at a quarterly meeting in October. The lawsuit says that after the HR director asked whether McClure wanted to add anything to an August meeting, McClure responded, I have nothing to add. The lawsuit alleges that more than five months after the plaintiffs' request, the commission had not investigated, heard or decided the matter, nor refused the request in writing. Council members say trust has been damaged Two Pasadena council members say they've lost faith in Interim Police Chief Raul Granados. (City of Pasadena) Heredia said the dispute is part of a broader concern about leadership within the police department. Six months ago, I sat here and said, Pasadena, we have a problem and the leadership of the police department, Heredia said. Some dismissed that warning, then controversy embarrassed our city and damaged the public trust. Heredia said his criticism is directed at leadership, not the department's rank-and-file officers. To the men and women of our police department, I applaud your dedication and your treatment, Heredia said. And again, my issue is not with our department, it is with the leadership. He also said residents continue to tell him about crime and concerns about safety. Our residents continue telling me about gunfire, robberies, and fear in their neighborhoods, Heredia said. They deserve effective policing, and they deserve to feel safe in the places they call home. Heredia specifically referenced the lawsuit and the questions it raises about the appointment. These allegations deserve serious attention, he said. This lawsuit raises questions about an appointment and whether that appointment complied with applicable civil service requirements. Heredia ultimately said he had lost confidence in the department's leadership. Guerrero was even more direct, saying the lawsuit involving five lieutenants represents a significant internal leadership dispute. The history in the police department's history is very sad to see a formal lawsuit having been filed by five senior police lieutenants, Guerrero said. Five, we have a total of 10. That is half of our department leadership questioning what has gone on. Mayor declines interview I approached Pasadena Mayor Thomas Schoenbein for comment about the lawsuit and Holt's appointment. Schoenbein told me, I'm not going to discuss that at this time. I then asked whether the mayor would discuss Holt's move from serving as his chief of staff back to the police department. That's not a discussion, I'm going to have. Thank you, Schoenbein said.