Pasadena Police Department Joins LA Fleet Week 2026 for Recruitment and Tribute
The Pasadena Police Department is heading back to the waterfront this May, blending military tradition with community outreach. The department will staff a recruitment booth at LA Fleet Week 2026, a free event held over Memorial Day Weekend that brings together active-duty personnel and the general public.
For Pasadena’s police chief, Gene Harris, the event is personal. Harris joined the Marine Corps at 17, starting a career defined by service long before leading the city’s police force. Under his leadership, the department is returning to the Port of Los Angeles to honor those who have served in uniform and to connect with potential new recruits interested in a career in law enforcement.
Event Details and Logistics
LA Fleet Week 2026 runs from May 22 to May 25 at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. The festivities center around the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, located at 250 S. Harbor Blvd.
The event is open to all ages with free admission. The main expo operates daily from 10 a.m. To 6 p.m., offering a wide array of attractions, including:
- More than 90 exhibits and military equipment demonstrations.
- Aircraft flyovers.
- The “Galley Wars,” a culinary cook-off between different military branches.
- Tours of active-duty Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
Visitor Requirements for Ship Tours
Visitors wishing to tour active-duty vessels should be aware that the event uses a virtual queue system on the day of the visit. To gain access to the ships, the following documentation is required:
- U.S. Citizens: A valid government-issued photo ID.
- Non-U.S. Citizens: A valid passport.
A Growing Tradition of Engagement
This marks the second consecutive year the Pasadena Police Department has participated in Fleet Week. The event serves as a strategic touchpoint for recruitment, allowing the department to engage with a crowd that often exceeds 60,000 visitors, according to event organizers.
The department’s commitment to the event was established in 2025, when Lieutenant Brad May and Sergeants Joaquin Gurrola, Thomas Corralez, and Barry Glockson represented Pasadena alongside U.S. Navy personnel.
- Dates: May 22–25, 2026.
- Location: Battleship USS Iowa Museum, San Pedro.
- Cost: Free admission.
- Pasadena PD Goal: Recruitment and honoring military veterans.
- Essential: Bring a government ID or passport for ship tours.
As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Pasadena Police Department’s presence at LA Fleet Week underscores the professional link between military service and civic policing, offering a unique opportunity for residents to explore law enforcement careers in a celebratory, community-focused environment.