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55394.00000\40763936.1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ORDINANCE NO. ___ <br /> <br />AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AMENDING <br />ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE TO DELETE <br />DIVISION 11 AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW DIVISION 11 FOR THE <br />ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION <br /> <br />RECITALS <br /> <br />A. The residents of the City of Santa Ana are concerned about public safety and have <br />expressed their concern through various means of civil engagement, including <br />participation in community forums on civilian oversight and widespread protests in 2020 <br />as part of the national movement for racial justice and police accountability. <br /> <br />B. There have been publicized allegations of excessive force, unnecessary use of force, <br />abuse of authority, and bribery committed by Santa Ana Police Officers which erodes <br />public trust in law enforcement and the community, the Police Department and the City <br />Council are committed to working together to build trust and improve public safety. <br /> <br />C. The City of Santa Ana has settled numerous lawsuits concerning allegations against <br />police officers and the Santa Ana Police Department (Department or Police Department) <br />and the settlements are reported to have cost the City an estimated $24 million and the <br />City Council is committed to exploring ways to reduce liability through improvements in <br />police operations. <br /> <br />D. The establishment of the Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission will support <br />democratic governance and will lead to an even more professional, well-managed, <br />ethical, and highly functioning Police Department. <br /> <br />E. Santa Ana residents and the City Council desire a highly resourced and effective <br />Oversight Commission to improve law enforcement operations and build community trust. <br /> <br />F. The Santa Ana City Council is committed to providing the resources needed to properly <br />investigate allegations of abusive police practices, police misconduct, officer-involved <br />shootings, and other serious uses of force and thereby determines it is necessary to <br />ensure the people who conduct investigations have the requisite expertise, establish the <br />credibility of the investigations, and inspire the community’s confidence in their quality <br />and independence. <br /> <br />G. Pursuant to the City of Santa Ana City Charter Section 700, the City Council may <br />provide for the organization, conduct, and operation of offices, departments, and other <br />agencies set forth in the Charter and may provide for the creation of additional <br />departments, divisions, offices, and agencies and for their alteration or abolition, for their <br />assignment and reassignment to departments, and for the number, titles, qualifications, <br />powers, duties, and compensation of all officers and employees.