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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-09 Regular Police Oversight Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Police Oversight Commission w April 9, 2026 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 5:04 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 Abigail Y. Alcala POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 1 April 9, 2026 ROLL CALL MINUTES: Recording Secretary Alexis Becerra conducted roll call. Commissioners Gawronski, Mejia, and Said, Vice Chair Castillo Laughton, and Chair Carpenter were present. Commissioner Vega was absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES: Vice Chair Castillo Laughton led the Pledge of Allegiance. 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: None. CONSENT CALENDAR RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar Items: 1 and 2. MINUTES:At 5:02 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered. MOTION: Commissioner Gawronski moved to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2, seconded by Vice Chair Castillo Laughton. The motion carried, 5-0-0-2, by the following roll call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONER GAWRONSKI, COMMISSIONER MEDIA, COMMISSIONER SAID, VICE CHAIR CASTILLO LAUGHTON, CHAIR CARPENTER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: COMMISSIONER PEREA, COMMISSIONER VEGA Status: 5- 0 — 0 — 2 — Pass 1. Excused Absences Recommended Action: Excuse the absent members. 2. Minutes from the Regular Meetings of March 12, 2026. Recommended Action: Approve minutes. ***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR*** RECESS — Police Oversight Commission will recess to Closed Session. MINUTES: Chair Carpenter recessed to consider the Closed Session item at 5:07 P.M. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 2 April 9, 2026 BUSINESS CALENDAR 3. CLOSED SESSION — Consistent with California Government Code Section 54957 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS (review of citizen complaints submitted to the Police Oversight Commission Complaint Nos. 2026-12, 2026-13, and 2026-15). Government Code Section 54957 MINUTES: Commissioner Perea arrived during Closed Session at 5:20 P.M. RECONVENE - Police Oversight Commission will reconvene to continue regular City business. MINUTES: Chair Carpenter reconvened the Police Oversight Commission meeting to order at 5.41 P.M. CLOSED SESSION REPORT-The City Attorney will report on any action(s)from Closed Session. MINUTES: None. ***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR*** COMMISSIONER REQUESTED ITEMS 4. Discuss and Consider Directing the Police Oversight Director to Conduct an Audit and Prepare a Report on 2024 Police Misconduct Complaints Not Reviewed by the Police Oversight Commission - Commissioner Perea MINUTES: Commissioner Perea provided a brief report regarding directing the Police Oversight Director to conduct an audit and prepare a report on 2024 police misconduct complaints not reviewed by the Police Oversight Commission. MOTION: Commissioner Perea moved to bring back the item at a future meeting for discussion and consideration, seconded by Commissioner Said. The motion carried, 6-0-0-1, by the following roll call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONER GAWRONSKI, COMMISSIONER MEDIA, COMMISSIONER PEREA, COMMISSIONER SAID, VICE CHAIR CASTILLO LAUGHTON, CHAIR CARPENTER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: COMMISSIONER VEGA Status: 6- 0 - 0 - 1 - Pass POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 3 April 9, 2026 STUDY SESSION 5. Assembly Bill 48 Work Study Session MINUTES: Independent Oversight Director T. Jack Morse provided a presentation regarding Assembly Bill(AB) 48. Commissioner Gawronski asked whether the OC Spray has an expiration date. Chair Carpenter asked when AB48 was passed, clarification regarding the number of subjects, asked whether each officer files a use of force report and is then compiled into the AB 48 report, and clarification regarding a 303 round. Commissioner Mejia asked for clarification regarding the deployment of CS chemical agent from the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), authorization for the release of chemical agents and projectiles towards a crowd, how water bottles are considered dangerous items, documentation of injuries, and what was considered/defined as dangerous regarding the June 9, 2025 report. Commissioner Said asked whether SAPD received training regarding AB48 reports, what system used to produce AB48 reports, a detailed summary be provided with AB48 reports, and clarification regarding officers inputting information in reports. Commissioner Perea requested the Commission be notified when SAPD submits an AB48 report to the state. Independent Oversight Director Morse, Deputy Chief Roland Andrade, and Commander Jorge Lopez provided clarification and answered the Commissioners'questions regarding AB48 requirements, KEPs and chemical agents, and SAPD AB 48 reporting. Assistant City Attorney Tamara Bogosian stated there is pending litigation regarding the June 9th incident and staff is unable to comment. RECESS MINUTES: Chair Carpenter recessed the Police Oversight Commission meeting at 7:02 P.M. RECONVENE MINUTES: Chair Carpenter reconvened the Police Oversight Commission meeting to order at 7:12 P.M. Commissioner Mejia asked for clarification regarding what constitutes a reasonable number of rounds deployed when officers determine that a crowd poses a threat, SAPD's process for reports, use of force and AB 48 reports, and SAPD's policy regarding crowd control related to June 9th events. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 4 April 9, 2026 Commissioner Perea spoke in support of the recommendations made, requested to bring back the item for discussion and inquired regarding complaints being submitted to the Commission regarding abuse of force and police misconduct during the June events. Chair Carpenter inquired regarding the AB48 reporting process. Independent Oversight Director Morse and Deputy Chief Andrade further explained AB48 reporting and SAPD's internal process. Assistant City Attorney Bogosian stated there is pending litigation regarding the June 9 event and is unable to comment. independent Oversight Director Morse continued the presentation regarding SAPD policies related to AB 48. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton asked for clarification regarding the use of tools to control crowds. Chair Carpenter inquired regarding tear gas usage, SWAT deployment, access of 870 shotgun to officers, and usage differences between 870 shotgun and 40 mm launcher. Commissioner Mejia asked for clarification regarding alternatives to the discharge of conventional weapons, whether SAPD conducts research regarding controlled devices specifically tear gas, and whether there is body warn camera footage related to the KEPs. Commissioner Perea spoke in support of the recommendations by Independent Oversight Director Morse and echoed Commissioner Mejia's comments. Commissioner Gawronski asked for clarification regarding the Watch Commander's response to an incident in the field. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton spoke in support of Independent Oversight Director's recommendations, recommended updating language from should to shall in the policies and stated the City should cover clean-up cost on the establishment not the owner. Chair Carpenter voiced concern regarding officers determining to use less lethal weapons on individual's with pre-existing conditions, asked whether 12-gauge rubber bullets are used as a less-lethal weapon, and spoke regarding the use of CS chemical agents. Commissioner Mejia asked for clarification regarding control devices reflected in AB48, spoke in support of recommendations made by Independent Oversight Director Morse, and requested more information regarding on CS agents and usage of bottles as potential threats in policy 303. Commissioner Perea echoed Commissioner Mejia's comments regarding CS agents. Commissioner Perea left the Police Oversight Commission meeting at 8:22 P.M. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 5 April 9, 2026 Commissioner Said spoke regarding improvements to officer's reports, expressed concern regarding the use of less lethal weapons on individual's with pre-existing conditions, and spoke in opposition to "control devices" being changed to "less lethal weapons" independent Oversight Director Morse, Deputy Chief Andrade and Commander Jorge Lopez provided clarification and answered the Commissioners' questions regarding SAPD policies related to AB48. ***END OF STUDY SESSION*'`* STAFF COMMENTS MINUTES:Deputy Chief Andrade spoke regarding a police officer who was killed in the line of duty at Tulare County Deputy Sheriff and requested the meeting be adjourned in their memory. Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez congratulated Vice Chair Castillo-Laughton on his new baby on the way. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS MINUTES: Commissioner Gawronski thanked Independent Oversight Director Morse for the presentation, everyone in attendance, congratulated Vice Chair Castillo- Laughton on his new baby on the way, and wished a Nappy Mother's Day. Vice Chair Castillo Laughton thanked Independent Oversight Director Morse for the presentation and thanked Commissioner Gawronski, Said, Chair Carpenter, and Assistant City Attorney Martinez for their wishes. Commissioner Mejia thanked Independent Oversight Director Morse and staff for the presentation and stated she looks forward to the next meeting. Commissioner Said thanked Independent Oversight Director Morse for the presentation, staff, and Commissioner Gawronski for bringing cookies, congratulated Vice Chair Castillo-Laughton on his new baby on the way, and wished everyone a good month of April. Chair Carpenter thanked Independent Oversight Director Morse for the presentation, thanked Commissioner Gawronski for bringing cookies, and congratulated Vice Chair Castillo-Laughton on his new baby on the way. POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 6 April 9, 2026 ADJOURNMENT -Adjourn the Police Oversight Commission Meeting. MINUTES: Chair Carpenter adjourned the Police Oversight Commission meeting at 8:29 P.M. The next meeting of the Police Oversight Commission is scheduled for May 14, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted: FL AI xi Be r Recording Secretary Attest: i �A6i ai Y/ - Icy a, CMC As isar�t City Clerk POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 7 April 9, 2026