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Orange County <br />i <br />Iiiiih <br />,; , <br />Network <br />"Id Response <br />of �r <br />May 6, 2025 <br />Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Council <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza <br />P.O. Bo 1988, M31 <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />Re: Agenda Item # 25 - Budget Direction — Police Oversight Commission <br />Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, <br />On behalf of Orange County Rapid Response Network, we urge the Santa Ana City Council (Council) to <br />direct city staff to include funding for the Police Oversight Commission (Commission) and its Independent <br />Director in the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. <br />The Council took a meaningful step toward community accountability by establishing this Commission in <br />2022, following years of advocacy from residents and community organizations. In the 2022-2023 budget <br />cycle, the Council allocated $1 million to support its creation, including funding for an Independent <br />Director and support staff. However, the City has not yet hired a Director, which has significantly <br />hampered the Commission's ability to investigate complaints of police misconduct and carry out its core <br />functions. <br />We strongly urge the Council to reaffirm its prior budget commitment, and ensure continued funding for <br />both the Independent Director position and the overall operations of the Commission. The community <br />deserves a well-resourced and fully operational Commission —one that can meaningfully promote <br />transparency, accountability, and trust. <br />