Correspondence #29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i i January 17, 2023 vewmwwR.Vaert ne,a;9yrom cnt w�Cpn,��rg Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers 1,1701,Covyan,Ave $'Joke°�,(X") 20 Civic Center Plaza Iron CA 142 14 Santa Ana, CA 92701 ecomment@santa-ana.org � �� "�� RE: Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission Informational Report,Agenda Item 29 Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers, The Kennedy Commission is a broad-based coalition of residents and community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $27,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Kennedy Commission has been successful in partnering and working with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective housing and land-use policies that has led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower income working families. The Kennedy Commission is writing to express our strong support for engaging an Independent Oversight Director for the City's Police Oversight Commission through a professional service agreement with clear guidelines, terms and conditions for the position. Furthermore, we request the City to involve the public in their implementation effort's of the Commission, including the engagement and selection process of the Director. We commend City staff for preparing an implementation plan and bringing forth this item to begin the process of establishing a Commission. Last November, the Council passed a robust Ordinance with language that outlined the power of a Commission to independently investigate complaints and lawsuits alleging police misconduct. The Ordinance language includes engaging a Director who will independently review and investigate complaints and incidents, provide recommendations on police practices, officer involved shootings and other serious use of force to the Council and City Manager. As the City goes through its implementation efforts for the Commission, including the engagement and selection for the Director, the City must involve the public in the process. For example, the City should host a public forum where members of the public can meet and ask questions to candidates. Building trust and confidence in the Commission requires community involvement. The Director for the Commission will be one of the most important positions for the Commission and its effectiveness. If the City engages the Director through an Exempt At-Will City employee position, the Director position will be at risk of being terminated by the Council at any moment, 1