Glendale Police Officers and Firefighters Associations Issue Sole Early Endorsement to Elen Asatryan for Glendale City Council Re-Election

February 25, 2026

First responders back Asatryan, citing her record as a “champion for public safety” and mental health advocate

GLENDALE, CA — The Glendale Police Officers’ Association (GPOA) and Glendale Firefighters Local 776 (GFFA) have officially announced a joint early endorsement of Councilmember Elen Asatryan for her re-election to the Glendale City Council. The dual endorsement marks a historic shift in the 2026 municipal race, as Asatryan is the only candidate to receive this early backing from both of the city’s premier public safety organizations.

The endorsement underscores Asatryan’s record as the strongest and most consistent champion for public safety in Glendale in the 2026 election. She takes pride in her hands-on partnership with first responders. Glendale continues to rank among the safest cities in the nation because public safety remains the city’s top priority and a central focus of her leadership.

“The Glendale Police Officers Association is proud to issue an early endorsement for Councilmember Elen Asatryan,” the GPOA said in a statement. “She has consistently championed safety funding, supported recruitment, and invested in modern tools like the Real Time Intelligence Center. Asatryan understands the realities of policing and remains a reliable partner who stands firmly with our officers.”

“The Glendale Firefighters Association Local 776 is issuing an early endorsement for Councilmember Elen Asatryan because of her unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of every Glendale resident and our members,” the Association said. “Whether working alongside us during wildfires, addressing facility needs, or continuing support for advancing resources, Asatryan doesn’t just speak about public safety. She shows up for it.”

During Asatryan’s leadership on the council and since 2023, overall crime in Glendale dropped by 13.45 percent, and residential burglaries declined by 41.30 percent. She was a leading advocate for the Real Time Intelligence Center, a hub of real-time data that helps officers de-escalate situations and respond more quickly and effectively.

During this period, she supported investments that allowed the department to fill all 248 sworn positions for the first time in years and implement a strategic plan to add 23 more officers, including patrol, school resource, and traffic motorcycle officers. She was a staunch advocate for the Homeless Outreach Program expansion, the Substance Abuse Wellness Resource Program Director role, the opening of the Montrose Police Station branch, the addition of motor officers to address traffic safety, the regional helicopter partnership, and the acquisition of a Mobile Command Center for large-scale emergency and disaster response.

As Mayor, Asatryan worked alongside city, fire, and police leadership during wildfire threats, red-flag wind events, and emergency activations, supporting coordination and dissemination of information.  During her tenure, Squad 21, a dual-response advanced life support unit, was launched; 26 Ambulance Operators and 12 Firefighter Paramedics were added; fire response times improved to 5 minutes, 24 seconds; medical response times improved to 4 minutes, 54 seconds; cancer screenings for firefighters were secured; recruitment and retention agreements were strengthened; and behavioral health and wellness services were expanded for firefighters and their families.

Asatryan has also been the only elected official to consistently visit fire stations across the city, meet directly with firefighters, conduct facilities walkthroughs, and follow through on improvements to ensure safe and modern work environments. She advocated for thoughtful implementation of operational changes, including delaying Zone Zero rollout until service impacts could be fully evaluated.

Asatryan has prioritized community empowerment through her staunch support for the establishment of the Women’s Fire Academy, in partnership with Pasadena Fire, and a recent initiative that trained over 150 residents in lifesaving CPR techniques. 

She has consistently supported a community-oriented public safety model that blends strong response with prevention and partnership. Her support includes advancing wraparound mental health services integrated with police response, expanding substance abuse diversion and outreach programs, closing service gaps for domestic violence survivors and spearheading the restoration of the Glendale Domestic Violence Task Force this March, advocating for internal mental health and wellness resources for first responders and their families, and strengthening coordination between police, fire, community services, and regional partners.

“Safety is not just response. It’s prevention, mental health, and community partnership,” Asatryan said. “Glendale has become a model for community-oriented public safety. Seeing our officers and firefighters out in the community, meeting residents where they are, is at the heart of why Glendale continues to lead in safety.”

Asatryan was also the lone vote against the FY 2025–26 city budget, stating she would not support any proposal that cuts public safety, permitting services, communications, and $0 investments from the $1.27 billion budget in programming to uplift women and girls.

“I am honored to receive the sole early endorsement from our city’s police and fire associations, a validation of our work to keep Glendale among the safest cities in the nation,” Councilmember Asatryan said. “Public safety is not a slogan for me. It is a responsibility, and we have proven that prioritizing it delivers real results, from a double-digit drop in crime to deep trust across our diverse communities. I remain committed to ensuring our police and fire have the staffing, resources, and support they need to succeed not only in their work but in their personal lives as well. I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices they and their loved ones make every day to keep Glendale safe.”

The early joint endorsement from Glendale Police and Fire signals confidence in that approach and in her continued leadership.

Residents can learn more, volunteer, contribute, sign up to host a meet and greet at www.electelen.com , and follow on Instagram, Facebook @elenasatryan  , and X @elen_ asatryan

###The Glendale city council election will be held on June 2, 2026.

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Contact:

818.208.0045

press@electelen.com

electelen.com

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