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Memo <br />Santa Ana Police Department <br />Office of the Chief of Police <br />To: David Cavazos, City Manager <br />From: Carlos Rojas, Chief of Police <br />Date: November 12, 2014 <br />Subject: Medical Marijuana Dispensary & Narcotics Task Force <br />BACKGROUND <br />On November 4, 2014, voters of Santa Ana passed a proposition regulating the operations of <br />sanctioned medical marijuana dispensary businesses in the city. On December 16, 2014, a <br />resolution adopting the Medical Marijuana Registration Processing Fee and Regulatory <br />Safety Permit Fee will be presented to the City Council for formal action. This new regulation <br />will require City staff to inspect sanctioned businesses for ordinance compliance and <br />aggressively address complaints of illegal business, in compliance with the law and best <br />investigative practices for appropriate legal disposition. <br />RECOMMENDATION / MISSION <br />I recommend a Team of five (5) experienced police officers, led by a Police Sergeant, be <br />established to serve as the primary enforcement arm to address this new public safety <br />business necessity. The Team would work as part of a larger Task Force with other City <br />partners from Code Enforcement, Building Inspection, City Attorney's Office and the Orange <br />County Fire Authority. The Detective Team members would operate out of the Investigations <br />Bureau of the Police Department. As the scope of some legal MMD's and certainly within the <br />illegal narcotics trade, there is a need to access the appropriate level of expertise in <br />conducting high level investigations related to money laundering and drug trafficking <br />organizations. This strategy may also involve partnerships with state and federal agencies. <br />The Detectives would have the ability and skill set to effectively operate in an undercover <br />capacity in support of all members of the Task Force and the City's overall mission in <br />addressing this public safety concern. As with other traditional investigative units, the Team <br />would work closely in direct support of case preparation for criminal prosecution and/or <br />administrative civil action. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />Personnel costs for (1) Detective Sergeant, (5) Detectives; undercover vehicles and smart <br />phones budgeted as ongoing costs. Work space for the Team has been designated within <br />Investigations Bureau, including meeting rooms for the broader Task Force members as <br />needed. <br />EXHIBIT 1 <br />65C -5 <br />