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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-13 Regular Police Oversight Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Police Oversight Commission �11 q 1F` November 13, 2025 REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 22 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 CALL TO ORDER MINUTES: Chair Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5.01 P.M. ATTENDANCE Commission Members Evangeline Gawronski Amalia Mejia Carlos Perea Nadin Said Danny Vega Vice Chair Gabriel Castillo Laughton Chair Keith Carpenter Staff Members Independent Oversight Director T. Jack Morse Jr. Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez Deputy Chief Roland Andrade Police Commander Jorge Lopez Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez Recording Secretary Kelly Flores POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 1 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 ROLL CALL MINUTES: Recording Secretary Kelly Flores conducted roll call. Commissioners Perea (arrived at 5:02 P.M.), Gawronski, Mejia, Said, and Vega, Vice Chair Castillo Laughton, and Chair Carpenter were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES: Chair Carpenter led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Carpenter requested an update regarding accident reports for the past three years, demographics and number of police pursuits, use of force after traffic stops, pursuits that result in death, cost of collisions due to pursuits, use of force to stop pursuits, requested agenda items list, and current complaint list. Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez stated the reports will be provided at the December 8, 2025 meeting and future meetings. Independent Oversight Director T. Jack Morse Jr. confirmed the requests are currently being worked on_ Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez stated the agenda includes the final item from the request list and the Commission will be notified of incoming complaints, which will be brought forward in closed session. PUBLIC COMMENTS--Public comments will be held during the beginning of the meeting for all comments on agenda items. Members of the public may provide comments on any agenda or non-agenda items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission. MINUTES:The following speaker addressed the Commission in person: Sandra De Anda spoke regarding ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) operations within the city, recent incidents involving masked individuals potentially posing as agents, and police interactions with federal agents on public property. The following speaker addressed the Commission via teleconference' Manuel Arreguin spoke regarding not being unable to join a prior Police Oversight Commission meeting and his complaint submitted to the commission. CONSENT CALENDAR RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar Items: t and 2. MINUTES:At 5:20 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 2 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 MOTION: Vice Chair Castillo Laughton moved to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2, as amended to add Chair Carpenters comments on reconsideration of bylaws to the minutes, seconded by Chair Carpenter. The motion carried, 7-0-0-0, by the following roll call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONER GAWRONSKI, COMMISSIONER MEJIA, COMMISSIONER PEREA, COMMISSIONER SAID, COMMISSIONER VEGA, VICE CHAIR CASTILLO LAUGHTON, CHAIR CARPENTER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE Status: 7- 0- 0 - 0 — Pass 1. Excused Absences Recommended Action: Excuse the absent members. 2. Minutes from the Regular Meetings of October 09, 2026. Recommended Action: Approve minutes. ***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR*** BUSINESS CALENDAR MINUTES:At 5.22 P.M., the Business Calendar was considered. 3. Santa Ana Police Department Policy 413 Recommended Action: Receive a presentation on the Santa Ana Police Department's Policy 413 Immigration Violations and provide input to staff. MINUTES: Commander Jorge Lopez and Jail Manager Ken Willard gave a presentation regarding Santa Ana Police Department's (SAPD) Policy 413 Immigration Violations. Commissioner Gawronski requested clarification on contract inmates. Jail Administrator Ken Willard explained contract inmates refers to the intergovernmental service agreement with the United States Marshal to receive a per diem number of inmates going to federal court and necessary transportation to/from court. Commissioner Vega asked about procedures for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) impersonators. Deputy Chief Roland Andrade stated personnel is sent to verify identities when dispatch is unable to confirm government status. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 3 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 Vice Chair Castillo Laughton requested clarification on information provided to ICE and raised concerns regarding policy language. Jail Administrator Willard stated only publicly available information is provided. Commissioner Perea asked whether inmate release dates are provided and whether individuals could be held solely for immigration status. Jail Administrator Willard stated release dates are not provided and only individuals with criminal charges are booked. He stated civil immigration detainers are not accepted. Commissioner Perea asked whether SAPD has prepared a policy regarding CA Bill 627 and requested the policy be presented to the Commission once finalized. He requested quarterly reports regarding the frequency of ICE requests for retainers, holds, interviews, the number of police calls for service related to ICE, and a summary of ICE activities in the city. Deputy Chief Andrade stated the SAPD legal advisor reviews and creates training regarding legal updates. Commissioner Said asked whether there is an online system to view current inmates. Jail Administrator Willard stated there is currently no online system. Commissioner Mejia stated the policy language should be reviewed to clearly state limitations in orderto avoid discrepancies and asked whether there was a possibility for inmates to be detained in the Santa Ana Jail due to immigration status. Jail Administrator Willard stated judicial warrants are required and all inmates are in custody for criminal offences. Commissioner Mejia asked for clarification regarding SAPD's ability to manage ICE officers violent behaviors and asked whether it is possible for information to be accessed by ICE through the Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system. Deputy Chief Andrade stated SAPD is not documenting criminal behavior as it relates to federal agents but officers can provide contact information for federal agencies if the public would like to submit a complaint. He clarified SAPD does not disclose information to federal agencies for immigration enforcement purposes. Commissioner Mejia asked if detainer requests have increased. Jail Administrator Willard stated detainers and inquires have declined. Chair Carpenter asked whether SAPD would provide rescue aide to ICE agents. Deputy Chief Andrade stated SAPD provides aid to anyone whose life is threatened. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 4 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 Commissioner Perea requested a future agenda item regarding abandoned vehicles linked to ICE detentions. Commissioner Mejia recommended policy review regarding ICE interviews and requested clarification. Jail Administrator Willard clarified they inform detainees the ICE interviews are voluntary, and they have a right to refuse. MOTION: Commissioner Mejia moved to have Director further research and investigate the definitions on policy 413.1.1 in regards to criminal violation, seconded by Commissioner Perea. The motion carried, 7-0, by the following roll call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONER GAWRONSKI, COMMISSIONER MEJIA, COMMISSIONER PEREA, COMMISSIONER SAID, COMMISSIONER VEGA, VICE CHAIR CASTILLO LAUGHTON, CHAIR CARPENTER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE Status: 7 -0 — 0 — 0 — Pass 4. Santa Ana Police Department Policy 429 Recommended Action: Receive a presentation on the Santa Ana Police Department Policy 429 First Amendment Assemblies policy and provide input to staff. MINUTES: Commander Garry Couso gave a presentation regarding Santa Ana Police Department Policy 429 First Amendment Assemblies policy. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton requested infonnation on the effects of police presence on peaceful gatherings, monitoring procedures for police-wary groups, use of a tiered dispersal system, and criteria for the use of protective gear. Commander Couso stated the effects vary by crowd and protective gear decisions are based on monitoring for criminal activity. Deputy Chief Roland Andrade stated each protest is unique and the protocol is often to monitor from a distance without engaging. He stated a dismissal order only occurs when triggered by criminal activity and when a single agitator is identified. He clarified a dismissal order applies to all protesters, including those who are peaceful. Commissioner Mejia asked whether having an amplified device is prohibited due to a California Penal Code and whether it is prohibiting amplified devices in general or at protest. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 5 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 Commander Couso cited Santa Ana Municode 10-153 and stated the prohibition varies on intent. Commissioner Mejia requested clarification on required media credentials, seizure of cameras under Section 429.3 (c), protections for media, improvements to amplified announcement devices, and a list of chemical agent ingredients. Commander Couso stated media credentials are typically issued by news organizations for planned events, but verification is not possible during dispersal of events, and seizure of materials occurs when they may contain evidence. He explained SAPD trains officers to support media safety, improvements to amplified devices may be beneficial, and chemical agent ingredient list will be provided. Commissioner Said shared personal observations of Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) at an organized gathering. Commissioner Perea acknowledged SAPD's progress and requested: actions ensuring media safety at assemblies, clarification regarding on frequency of dismissal orders, information on responses to civil disobedience, documentation of non-lethal devices deployments, and summary reports for each gathering, and number of disciplinary actions for failures to follow demonstrations protocols. Commander Couso stated SAPD maintains a welcoming posture towards media, and dismissal orders are repeated in both English and Spanish. He stated approaches to civil disobedience vary and all non-lethal device uses are documented. Deputy Chief Andrade stated Assembly Bill 48 requires public availability of crowd control reports and these are posted on the City website. Commissioner Perea moved to have Oversight Director provide data of the past 10 to 15 years regarding discipline of officers not following procedure or protocol to public demonstrations, seconded by Commissioner Mejia. Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez clarified the motion exceeds the scope of the item, Motion was dismissed. Chair Carpenter asked whether dispersal orders apply to all individuals present. Commander Couso confirmed they apply to everyone in attendance. Commissioner Vega asked whether the dispersal orders apply citywide or separate protests are handled individually and shared concerns based on past experience with riots. Commander Couso stated each demonstration is treated separately. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton asked whether officers receive bias training and whether the training is re-emphasized before officers respond to protests. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 6 NOVEMSER 13, 2025 Commander Couso stated officers are given annual advanced officer training on implicit bias policing and the training is reemphasized daily at roll calls and before critical incidents. Commissioner Mejia expressed concern regarding the bias between different types of demonstrations. 5. Commissioner Requested Item - Submitted by Chair Keith Carpenter Recommended Action: Discuss and Consider Placing an Item on a Future Agenda Regarding Public Legal Rights and Requirements During Police Encounters. MINUTES: Chair Carpenter clarified his item is for SAPD to provide information on citizen requirements during police stops. Independent Oversight Director T. Jack Morse Jr. recommended using an outside constitutional law entity to provide the presentation. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton requested clarification on whether the request is for training or policy adoption. Chair Carpenter stated they are related and agreed with the recommendation. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton recommended having information available on the Commission's website. Chair Carpenter opposed posting information online, stating it is outside the Commission's purview and would defer that decision to the City Attorney. Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez stated the item does not require changes and may proceed to discussion and a vote. He recommended allowing comments before voting. Commissioner Mejia asked for clarification on the requested item. Chair Carpenter stated he is willing to modify his request and change constitutional rights to "know your rights"from constitutional rights. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton recommended training on "Know Your Rights" and publish best practices on the Commission's website. Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez recommended proceeding with discussion and a vote. Commissioner Mejia supported "Know Your Rights" information, but opposed directing public behavior. Commissioner Said supported "Know Your Rights" information, and posting it online, but opposed adopting a policy or giving legal advice. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 7 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 Commissioner Perea supported the proposal and suggested a community forum or training at a community center. Chair Carpenter stated commission meetings are open to the public for information and comment and did not support posting information online. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton supported posting information online to maximize impact of the commission and clarified he is not recommending policy adoption. MOTION: Chair Carpenter moved to approve recommended action for Item No. 5, seconded by Commissioner Said. The motion carried, 6-1, by the following roll call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONER GAWRONSKI, COMMISSIONER PEREA, COMMISSIONER SAID, COMMISSIONER VEGA, VICE CHAIR CASTILLO LAUGHTON, CHAIR CARPENTER NOES: COMMISSIONER MEJIA ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE Status: 6— 1 — 0 —0 — Pass ***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR*** STAFF COMMENTS MINUTES: Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez explained the process for establishing Commissioner email addresses as requested by the Commission. Deputy Chief Roland Andrade announced the Paws and Nuggets event with Chick- Fil-A has been rescheduled due to potential rain during the event, and Pancakes with Santa is taking place in December: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS MINUTES: Commissioner Vega wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton thanked everyone for their presence and the productive dialog. Commissioner Mejia requested an update regarding the U-Visa, spoke regarding public engagement, and the Commission's goal to help with the community relationship and trust. Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez stated the U-Visa item may return at the December commission meeting. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 8 NOVEMBER 13, 2025 Commissioner Said spoke regarding her positive experience attending the Santa Ana Police Department Trunk-or-Treat event, wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and thanked staff for their hard work. Commissioner Perea thanked staff for the presentations and echoed Commissioner Mejia's comments regarding community engagement. Chair Carpenter spoke regarding opportunities for public engagement at neighborhood associations, encouraged the commission to become involved with their neighborhood association, and thanked staff for the information provided. ADJOURNMENT -Adjourn the Police Oversight Commission Meeting. MINUTES: Chair Carpenter adjoumed the Police Oversight Commission meeting at 8:35 P.M. The next meeting of the Police Oversight Commission is scheduled for December 11, 2025 at 5:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted: W_ Kelly Flores Recording Secretary POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 9 NOVEMBER 13, 2025