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Police Oversight Commission Ordinance Work Study Session <br />January 26, 2026 <br />Page 3 <br />5 <br />3 <br />1 <br />4 <br />If the desired option is to maintain the current ordinance as is, staff recommends including <br />clean up language to align with the City Charter and have the Independent Oversight <br />Director be appointed by the City Manager, remain independent from the Police <br />Department, and still vetted by the City Council. <br />Background <br />On November 15, 2022, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a Police <br />Oversight Commission. The purpose of the Police Oversight Commission is to enhance <br />transparency, increase accountability of and public confidence in the Santa Ana Police <br />Department (SAPD), and provide for an Independent Oversight Director to provide the <br />Chief of Police, City Manager, and City Council independent investigations of, analysis, <br />and recommendations on police practices, police misconduct, officer involved shootings, <br />and other serious uses of force. <br />July 18, 2023: <br />City Council received an informational report providing an update on the implementation <br />of the Commission, including the status of Commissioner appointments, the ongoing <br />recruitment process for the Independent Oversight Director, and the anticipated timeline <br />for convening the Commission's inaugural meeting. <br />October 6, 2023: <br />The six appointed members of the Police Oversight Commission held their first official <br />meeting, marking the operational launch of the Commission. Since that time, the <br />Commission has met regularly and its members have completed the training <br />requirements as outlined in the Ordinance. <br />April 4, 2025: <br />Implementation of the existing ordinance revealed a conflict with the Public Safety <br />Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (California Government Code Sections 3300–3313), <br />prompting the need for a comprehensive review. In response, the Police Oversight Ad <br />Hoc Committee convened to evaluate the ordinance and recommend appropriate <br />amendments to ensure legal compliance and effective oversight. <br />July 1, 2025: <br />Police Oversight Director T. Jack Morse of Oppenheimer Investigations Group LLP was <br />appointed as the Oversight Director. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. <br />EXHIBIT(S) <br />1.Ordinance No. NS-3029 <br />  <br />City Council 1 – 3 1/26/2026 <br />