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3. Gather evidence including photographs, sound and video recordings, receipts, and documents <br /> relevant to the complaint. <br /> 4. Prepare an investigative report identifying the witnesses interviewed and summaries of their <br /> testimonies; weigh the evidence and credibility; identify any gaps in the investigation due to lost <br /> or unavailable documents, unavailable or uncooperative witnesses, etc. <br /> 5. Make recommendations or findings as to whether the evidence supports the allegation(s). In <br /> some oversight systems, the agency has the authority to recommend and/or impose discipline. <br /> Police Oversight Commission Qualifications <br /> We urge the creation of a commission composed of diverse community leaders with the knowledge <br /> and experience to effectuate meaningful oversight of SAPD. We urge the council to support a <br /> commission appointed by the city council with the following qualifications: <br /> 1. To the extent practicable, appointments to the commission shall be broadly representative of <br /> Santa Ana's diversity and shall include members with knowledge and/or experience in the fields <br /> of human resources practices, management, policy development, auditing, law, investigations, <br /> social services, civil rights, and civil liberties. <br /> 2. Appointments to the commission shall be representative of the communities most affected by <br /> and with the most frequent contact with the Police Department. <br /> 3. Federal immigration status and criminal convictions shall not be considered in the appointment <br /> of the commission. <br /> Current and former sworn law enforcement officers should be excluded from commission membership. <br /> Immediate family members of law enforcement officers: spouse, registered domestic partner, or <br /> dependent children should also be excluded from commission membership. Finally, current or former <br /> employees, contractors, officials or representatives of a association or an employee association <br /> representing sworn peace officers, must not be eligible to serve on the commission. <br /> If former law enforcement officers are permitted to serve on the commission, we believe the following <br /> minimum guardrails must be adopted: <br /> 1. Former law enforcement officers shall not be eligible to serve until they have been retired for at <br /> least five (5) years. <br /> 2. Former law enforcement officers must have occupied a managerial rank within their department. <br /> 3. Former law enforcement officers must not have been employed by a law enforcement agency in <br /> Orange County. <br /> 4. Former law enforcement officers must be limited to only one (1) commission membership <br /> appointment to ensure the commission is represented by majority civilians. <br /> Access to Police Department Documents and Records. <br /> The commission must have unfettered access to all relevant SAPD files, documents and records, <br /> except as otherwise prohibited by law, in addition to all files and records of other City departments and <br /> agencies. The commission must have access to the records necessary for their investigations and <br /> audits. Any relevant records held by the police department that can be shared in a discretionary manner <br /> must be proactively disclosed to the commission in the discharge of their duties. <br /> Power to Issue Disciplinary Recommendations <br /> The ordinance passed by the City Council must explicitly authorize the commission to deliver <br /> disciplinary recommendations to the Police Chief and Internal Affairs division of SAPD. An independent <br /> 4 <br />