HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-14 Regular Police Oversight Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Police Oversight Commission
August 14, 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 5:06 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
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ROLL CALL
MINUTES: Recording Secretary Abigail Y. Alcala conducted roll call.
Commissioners Gawronski, Mejia, Perea, Said, and Vega, Vice Chair Castillo
Laughton, and Chair Carpenter were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: Chair Carpenter 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: The following individuals addressed the Commission in person:
1. Abraham Quintana requested justice for Noe Rodriguez and spoke regarding Police
Officer Luis Casillas.
2. David Pulido requested justice for Noe Rodriguez and an independent investigation
be commenced regarding the incident.
3. Carina Munoz spoke regarding an incident involving Police Officer Kavendish and
demanded justice.
4. Emma Gottfried expressed concern regarding police violence with the Officer Luis
Casillas regarding Mario Diaz's arrest and Noe Rodriguez's death.
5. Victor Mendez spoke in favor of the new direction the commission is taking and wished
them success in the upcoming Special Joint Meeting with the City Council.
6, Erika Armenta spoke regarding her husband Noe Rodriguez's incident, stated she is
scared for her life and her families, and requested the Commission due their due
diligence and complete independent investigation related to Noe Rodriguez's.
CONSENT CALENDAR
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following
Consent Calendar Items: 1 and 2.
MINUTES:At 5:25 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered.
MOTION: Vice Chair Castillo Laughton moved to approve Consent Calendar Item
Nos. 1 and 2, seconded by Commissioner Said.
The motion carried, 7-0, by the following roll call vote:
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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 — Pass
1. Excused Absences
Recommended Action: Excuse the absent members.
2. Minutes from the Regular Meetings of July 10, 2025.
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
STUDY SESSION
MINUTES:At 5:27 P.M., the Study Session was considered.
3. U-Visa Work Study Session
Recommended Action:
1. Receive presentations the from the following nonprofit grassroots organizations
that work to respond to immigration enforcement activities and police, in order
to discuss their experiences with SAPD's U-Visa process/procedures and
provide input for recommendations:
a) Sandra De Anda of the Orange County Rapid Response Network
b) Faby Jacome of the Orange County Justice Fund
2. Review and discuss proposed/redline changes to SAPD Procedure No. 4130
prepared by Police Oversight Director Jack Morse.
MINUTES: Sandra De Anda, Orange County Rapid Response Network (OCRRN),
and Faby Jacome, Orange County Justice Fund (OCJF), provided a presentation
regarding data, community experiences and a path forward regarding U-Visas in
the City.
Commissioner Mejia requested clarification regarding wrongful investigations given
to the District Attorney's (DA) office and information regarding the determination of
a domestic violence crime case within the policy.
Sandra De Anda and Faby Jacome answered the Commissioner's questions and
provided clarification.
Commissioner Perea thanked the presenters for their presentation and requested
the Commission be provided annual reports including the number of cases, data
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related to denials and approvals, clearer guidelines for determining helpfulness, and
process for appealing denials including data and language, number of cases
referred to DA's office, and accessibility and transparency of U-Visa resources on
the City website.
Sandra De Anda and Faby Jacome stated there are no immigration attorneys or
experts assisting with U-Visa applications, and recommended establishing a
Sanctuary Board.
Commissioner Said requested clarification regarding the requirement for referring
cases to differentjurisdictions, why referral data from 2017-2023 is difficult to obtain,
what the standard turnaround time is for U-Visa follow-ups, the number of staff
involved in processing U-Visas, and whether training has been provided for making
determinations on applications. She requested an analyst be assigned to track
applications, referrals, and denials, suggested the appellant review process be
conducted by a different individual rather than the person who is processing the
application within SAPD, more accessibility on City's website such as language
options, recommended providing accurate contact information to applicants, and
voiced concern regarding discretion in helpfulness determination.
Commander Jorge Lopez stated there is no requirement to refer cases and cases
sometimes are deferred to the DA's office when there is an ongoing prosecution
involving the victim and there is no defined turnaround time requirement. He
confirmed there is a unit dedicated for overseeing U-Visas with a crime analyst
responsible for inputting all received information, and a sergeant who reviews and
assigns cases to detectives for further review.
Deputy Chief Roland Andrade spoke regarding data from 2017, the appeals
process, and clarified the U-Visas applications process.
Commissioner Mejia requested clarification on "helpfulness"and "usefulness."She
suggested the following the revisions to the U-Visa policy: in Section 4130.3.1,
adding language to include "Have been the victim, the bystander, or indirect'; in
Section 4130,3.3, changing the title from "Victim's Responsibility to be Helpful" to
"Guidance on Helpfulness"or"Definition on Helpfulness"; Section 4130.4, removing
the language "such as the Department, verifying the applicant is the victim of
qualifying criminal activity and has been helpful, is being helpful or is likely to be
helpful to the investigation..."to avoid redundancy; and Section 4130.5, providing
further explanation as to why applications are sent over to the DA's office.
Commissioner Vega asked for information regarding the process for handling a
victim's complaint against SAPD and whether such a cose could be handled by PD
or DA.
Deputy Chief Andrade clarified the investigating entity is responsible for the
investigation, therefore, if a victim alleges a crime involving SAPD, the responsibility
would fall on SAPD.
Commissioner Perea asked whether the commission would be an appropriate entity
to conduct the investigation in cases where SAPD is the alleged perpetrator,
specifically for certifying a U-Visa for the victim.
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Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez confirmed U-Visa certifications is determined
by the police department.
Vice Chair Castillo Laughton thanked presenters for their presentation, supported
the recommendations made by fellow commissioners to the U-Visa policy, and
suggested trainings be conducted once policy is finalized.
Chair Carpenter thanked presenters for their presentation and suggested adding
consequences for deadlines not met by SAPD within the policy.
Chair Vega thanked presenters, requested additional information on U-Visa denials,
and clarification on SAPD's role in determining helpfulness and whether a victim's
case falls within a qualifying crime.
Deputy Chief Andrade clarified SAPD's role regarding helpfulness determination
and the qualifying levels of crime needing to be met during the certification U-Visa
process.
Commissioner Mejia stated she supports the initial set of revisions presented in the
policy and is working toward clarifying the concept of helpfulness during the
certification process.
Vice Chair Castillo Laughton suggested moving the excerpt in Section 4130.3.3
explaining determination factors to Section 4130.5 regarding procedures,
recommended the wording related to Form 1-918 in Sections 4130.3.3 and 4130.5
be consistent, rather than using "may sign and certify..."in one section and "shall
provide a written explanation..." in another, correcting the wording in Section
4130.5.10 from "repeal"to "appeal', and requested clarification on certifications for
denials.
Independent Oversight Director T. Jack Morse Jr. clarified in Section 4130.3.3, the
wording "may sign and certify" regarding Form 1-918 refers to the Police Chiefs
determination of helpfulness, while Section 4130.5.8 addresses situations where
forms are not certified and requires a reason to be provided for the application not
being certified for U-Visas.
***END OF STUDY SESSION***
STAFF COMMENTS
MINUTES:Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez stated invitations to upcoming meetings
with Councilmembers, the City Attorney, Police Chief, Police Oversight Director, and the
City Manager regarding the proposed amendments to the Police Oversight Commission
ordinance will be sent to commissioners.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
MINUTES:Commissioner Gawronski asked regarding the citizens academy and whether
commissioners need to retake the academy.
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 2025
Commissioner Vega thanked staff, presenters, and members of the public who provided
comments, and requested information on SAPD's policies regarding arrests and
interactions with individuals experiencing mental health issues, as well as whether a
policy exists governing language use during encounters, such as the use of English or
Spanish.
Deputy Chief Andrade confirmed there is no policy in place to utilizing languages other
than English during encounters.
Commissioner Mejia thanked presenters, colleagues, and individuals who made a public
comment, and inquired regarding community notification of upcoming meetings and
whether meetings can be scheduled at more reasonable times to encourage greater
attendance. She asked whether a future meeting will provide additional information on
reports made during the previous community meeting regarding military equipment under
AB 481,
Deputy City Manager Sylvia Vazquez confirmed reports from 2022--2023 and 2023-2024
were not presented during the community meeting due to compliance issues, and stated
the City of Santa Ana and Police Chief Rodriguez are working to ensure compliance with
laws and regulations for future meetings. She clarified the reports currently presented are
those available and identifiable at this time.
Commission Said thanked presenters and staff, and requested viewing body worn
camera footage regarding Noe Rodriguez's case.
Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Martinez explained he would need to look into Penal
Code 832.7 of confidential peace officer records and whether viewing footage is possible
with no violation of codes and a qualifying case
Chair Carpenter asked whether the Police Oversight Director can be directed to further
investigate incidents such as Noe Rodriguez's case.
Independent Oversight Director Morse Jr. confirmed SAPD is investigating.
Vice Chair Castillo Laughton suggested independent Oversight Director and SAPD work
in conjunction regarding Noe Rodriguez's investigation.
Commissioner Mejia requested the Independent Oversight Director have a separate
investigation from SAPD.
Commissioner Perea thanked everyone for their work on the U-Visa policy over the last
few meetings, suggested the Commission review previous City Council discussions
regarding the Police Oversight Commission ordinance, and stated he looks forward to the
upcoming joint session with the City Council.
Chair Carpenter thanked the presenters, staff, and the independent Oversight Director,
and emphasized the need for a clearer definition of helpfulness.
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ADJOURNMENT-Adjourn the Police Oversight Commission Meeting.
MINUTES; Chair Carpenter adjourned the Police Oversight Commission meeting at
T:32 P.M.
The next meeting of the Police Oversight Commission is scheduled for September 11,
2025 at 5:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
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Recgr, in ecretary
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