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Police Oversight Commission Ordinance Work Study Session <br /> January 26, 2026 <br /> Page 3 <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 /> April4, 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 />