HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 19 - Councilmember Requested Item Regarding Law Enforcement Response to Demonstarations at the Santa Ana Civic Center l CITY OF SANTA ANA
Council member-Requested Item Report
DATE
February 3, 2026
TOPIC
Santa Ana Police Department Use of Force During Public Demonstration at Civic
Center
COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE
Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Prepare a Public
Report and Direct the Police Oversight Commission to Hold a Public Hearing Regarding
Law Enforcement Response to a Demonstration at the Santa Ana Civic Center
DISCUSSION
Reporting by local and independent media has raised serious questions regarding the
Santa Ana Police Department's use of force during a public demonstration at the Santa
Ana Civic Center in July 2025, which took place in response to ICE raids and a broader
federal enforcement presence. Accounts describe the deployment of rubber bullets, tear
gas, and other crowd-control weapons against demonstrators, prompting community
concerns about whether the response was justified, proportional, and consistent with
City policy, constitutional standards, and the City's commitments to transparency and
public trust.
Public demonstrations are a protected form of civic participation. When law enforcement
deploys military-style equipment, non-lethal munitions, and chemical agents during such
events, the City has a responsibility to provide full transparency regarding the decision-
making, costs, coordination, and impacts of that response — particularly when there are
reported injuries to demonstrators.
To ensure accountability and public confidence, this item requests that the City Council
direct the City Manager, in coordination with the Santa Ana Police Department and
relevant City departments, to prepare a comprehensive public report and direct the
Police Oversight Commission to hold a public hearing addressing the following:
Requested Scope of Report and Hearing
1. The total cost associated with the law enforcement response, including personnel
overtime, equipment deployment, and munitions.
2. A full inventory of weapons and "less-lethal" munitions deployed, including rubber
bullets, tear gas, pepper balls, and related crowd-control devices.
CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O. BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900-FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org
3. Body-worn camera footage and any available aerial or surveillance footage of
officers during the deployment of force, including the firing of rubber bullets and
use of chemical agents, subject to legally required redactions.
4. Injury reports documenting injuries to demonstrators, officers, and any members
of the public, including medical treatment provided or reported.
5. Operational planning and command decisions that led to the use of force,
including rules of engagement and escalation protocols.
6. Inter-agency communications and coordination, including communications
between the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's
Department, federal agencies, or other local law enforcement agencies before,
during, and after the incident.
7. Any after-action reports, internal reviews, or policy assessments conducted or
planned by the Santa Ana Police Department related to this incident.
Additionally, this item requests that the Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission be
formally directed to hold a public hearing on this incident, receive community testimony,
and provide findings and recommendations to the City Council.
SUBMITTED BY
Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez
CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O. BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900-FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org