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<br />Orozco, Norma <br />From:Ana Charco <charcoana94@gmail.com> <br />Sent:Thursday, June 18, 2020 3:58 PM <br />To:eComment <br />Subject:Public Comment for June 18, 2020 <br />Hi Santa Ana City Council, <br /> <br />My name is Ana Charco and I reside in Ward 2. I will be commenting on item 85A. <br /> <br />I support item 85A as institutionally, the "bad cops" are not held accountable. Policemen pay union <br />officials to defend and absolve them of their crimes when accused, and their crimes are investigated <br />by the internal affairs department of the police force in question. Essentially, when the police commit <br />a crime, they are investigated by themselves. Citizens concerned with justice, fairness and truth have <br />the right to feel disturb, distressed and ultimately question the police department's duty to serve and <br />protect its citizens. Therefore, Santa Ana needs to establish an effective Civilian Review Board with <br />the authority to exercise proper oversight and accountability of the Police Department and its officers. <br />In order to have meaningful oversight, it needs to have subpoena power; investigatory authority; <br />disciplinary authority; and the ability to hire and fire officers, including the Chief of Police. Even then, <br />the creation of such an oversight body is the bare minimum the city can do and needs to be part of <br />other efforts to approach public safety by divesting from enforcement and investing in positive <br />community programs that address residents’ needs. <br /> <br />Best, <br />Ana Charco <br /> <br />1 <br />