Facing a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by six current and former female campus police employees and growing criticism of the college’s handling of the allegations, Pasadena City College Police Chief Steven Matchan has resigned.
Bob Blizinski, assistant superintendent and vice president of human resources for the college, confirmed Matchan’s resignation in an email to his colleagues on Thursday, Oct. 22, a copy of which was obtained by the Southern California News Group. He said the college will “promptly” begin a national search for a new police chief.
The resignation comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed against Matchan and the Pasadena Area Community College District on May 4, then amended on July 7, alleging years of sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact and discrimination.
“We are glad to see that Steven Matchan will no longer be in a position of power to harm more employees at the Pasadena City College Police Department,” said attorney Ryan T. Trotta, who is representing the plaintiffs, in an email Thursday. “All students and employees should feel comfortable at their place of employment and while on campus. We will continue to advocate for our clients harmed by this conduct. We are also prepared to litigate the extent to which the district took to cover up these actions.”
College and district officials did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
The lawsuit alleges that Matchan, who had been at the helm of the campus police for more than 10 years, routinely touched female subordinates without consent, made sexually suggestive remarks and used his authority over promotions and employment to intimidate them.
In one alleged incident in June 2025, a former cadet alleged Matchan called her into his office to tell her how she would never become a police officer and told her, “You are the type of woman that needs a man to dominate you and put you in your place,” according to the lawsuit.
Another plaintiff alleges that on March 24, Matchan struck her thigh and grabbed the back of her neck as she was riding in a police car with him, allegedly to intimidate her after he received the sexual harassment complaint she filed against him with the California Civil Rights Department, which investigates allegations of employee civil rights violations.
“Matchan grabbed (plaintiff’s) neck with enough force to send a message not to continue with her claims against him,” the lawsuit states.
A former employee who worked as a receptionist from June 2021 to December 2024 alleges Matchan repeatedly touched her, commented on her body and made degrading remarks about women. In September 2022, Matchan allegedly tried setting his son up with the plaintiff, saying “she’s a good girl, pretty, polite,” and that she would be a perfect fit for his son.
In January 2023, Matchan approached the same plaintiff, telling her to send an email expressing interest in a promotion to another department. He hugged her and kissed her on the forehead, telling her, “I got you” in reference to the pay raise, the lawsuit states.
In September 2023, Matchan allegedly told the plaintiff he loved her. The following month, when she dressed as a police officer for Halloween, Matchan asked whether she had dressed as a “slutty police officer,” according to the lawsuit.
In fall 2024, the same plaintiff allegedly overheard Matchan suggest that a sergeant’s wife work for the department. The sergeant declined. When the plaintiff later asked him about the exchange, he allegedly responded, “I would never let my wife work here, Chief is a pervert.”
The lawsuit also accuses college administrators of ignoring complaints and failing to protect employees. Several plaintiffs allege the harassment derailed their careers or forced them to resign.
Pasadena City College has faced controversy involving its police leadership before.
In May 2014, then-Police Chief Donald Yoder was placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation. College officials declined to disclose the nature of the investigation, citing personnel confidentiality laws. He was subsequently fired in November 2014, and Matchan was subsequently appointed chief.
The allegations have also fueled broader criticism of the college’s handling of the complaints and its transparency with the campus community.
In an Oct. 20 editorial, the PCC Courier, the college’s student newspaper, criticized college administrators for allegedly withholding information about Matchan’s employment status and mishandling sexual harassment allegations against him.
Matchan could not be reached for comment Thursday.