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October 18, 2022 <br /> Mayor Sarmiento and City Councilmembers <br /> 20 Civic Center Plaza <br /> Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> ecom entC s�.tnt�.t....ana o g <br /> Via Email <br /> RE: Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission and Agenda Item 22 <br /> Dear Mayor Sarmiento and City Councilmembers, <br /> Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO)works to develop <br /> transformational leaders within diverse, multicultural, interfaith communities who together have <br /> the power to shape equitable public policy throughout Orange County. <br /> Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) is writing to respond to <br /> the October 18, 2022 City Council agenda item 22, "Police Review Commission Draft <br /> Ordinance Discussion," and Exhibit 1. We commend the City Attorney's willingness to meet <br /> with community-based organizations to discuss our policy recommendations. We also commend <br /> the City Council for directing city staff to examine the Police Oversight Ordinance drafted and <br /> supported by community-based organizations. We are concerned, however, that the policy <br /> language of Exhibit 1 profoundly differs from the model policy that was discussed by the City <br /> Council on July 29, 2022, supported and written by community-based organizations. The <br /> Exhibit 1 policy language will establish an oversight model that largely mirrors the City of <br /> Anaheim's Police Review Board, which a majority of this council and the community have <br /> rightly labeled as insufficient. The Police Oversight Ad Hoc Committee previously <br /> recommended a hybrid investigation-focused and auditor/monitor-focused model of police <br /> oversight. The policy language of Exhibit 1 will fail to accomplish the Ad Hoc Committee's <br /> recommendation and the City Council's goal to establish an effective police oversight model. We <br /> cannot support the ordinance as written unless the fundamental police oversight provisions, listed <br /> herein, are included in the policy. We urge the City Council to introduce pivotal amendments <br /> to establish an effective police oversight commission. <br /> Structural Failures of Exhibit I Policy Lan,-uae <br /> As previously stated, an ineffectual and powerless police oversight model will be far more <br /> detrimental to the residents of Santa Ana than simply not having any police oversight, as it will <br /> give the false impression that meaningful accountability and investigation into police misconduct <br /> 1 <br />