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<br /> <br /> <br />Ordinance No. NS-XXX <br />Page 1 of 14 <br /> <br /> <br />ORDINANCE NO. NS-XXX <br /> <br />AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF <br />SANTA ANA AMENDING SECTIONS 2-660-2-669 OF <br />CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION), ARTICLE IV, DIVISION <br />16 OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING <br />A POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION <br /> <br />THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA HEREBY ORDAINS AS <br />FOLLOWS: <br /> <br />Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines <br />and declares as follows: <br /> <br />A. On November 15, 2022, the City Council adopted an Ordinance establishing a <br />Police Oversight Commission. The purpose of the Police Oversight Commission <br />is to enhance transparency, increase accountability of and public confidence in <br />the Santa Ana Police Department and provide for an Independent Oversight <br />Director to provide the Chief of Police, City Manager, and City Council <br />independent investigations of, analysis and recommendations on police <br />practices, police misconduct, officer involved shootings, and other serious uses <br />of force. <br /> <br />B. On October 6, 2023, the six appointed members of the Police Oversight <br />Commission held their first official meeting, marking the operational launch of the <br />Commission. Since that time, the Commission has met regularly and its <br />members have completed the training requirements as outlined in the Ordinance. <br /> <br />C. The subsequent implementation of the existing ordinance revealed operational <br />and procedural challenges prompting the need for a comprehensive review of the <br />Ordinance. In response, the Police Oversight Ad Hoc Committee convened to <br />evaluate the current Ordinance and consider amendments. <br /> <br />D. The proposed amendments reflect collaboration from the Ad Hoc Committee, <br />legal counsel, City staff, and personnel from the Santa Ana Police Department. <br /> <br />E. The objective of these amendments to the existing Police Oversight Commission <br />Ordinance is to enhance transparency and consistency of the Ordinance, <br />strengthen the Commission’s operational effectiveness and ensure full <br />compliance with applicable state laws. <br /> <br /> Section 2. The City Council finds and determines that this ordinance is not <br />subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to CEQA and <br />Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, the adoption of this <br />Ordinance is exempt from CEQA review because it will not result in a direct or reasonably <br />foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, as there is no possibility it will