Correspondence #29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Middleton, Samuel From: Laura Hernandez <Iaurahrnndz2020@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2023 5:07 PM To: eComment; Bulmaro Vicente; Penelope Lopez Subject: Agenda Item 29: Police Oversight Commission Informational Report January 16, 2023 Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 ecomme t rcr Santa-ana.or g Via Email RE: Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission Informational Report, Agenda Item 29 Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers, The Orange County Rapid Response Network (OCRRN) is a grassroots organization that supports community members facing deportation or removal orders with no other place to go to for support. We utilize the Participatory Defense Model that places community at the head of their campaigns and empowers them to be advocates for themselves. The OCRRN 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, with or without reason. This would also allow the Director to leave their position without any notice. The City is not a stranger to sudden turnovers and firing of key administrative positions, which impact services and support to residents. It's critical the City engages the Director through a professional service agreement that 1