Minutes of the Regular Meeting
of the Police Oversight Commission
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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: RecordingSecretaryKellyFloresconductedroll 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, demographicsandnumberof policepursuits, useof forceaftertrafficstops, pursuitsthatresultin death, costof collisionsduetopursuits, useof forcetostop pursuits, requestedagendaitemslist, andcurrentcomplaintlist.
AssistantCityAttorneyJonathanMartinezstatedthereportswillbeprovidedat the December 8, 2025 meeting and future meetings.
Independent Oversight Director T. Jack Morse Jr. confirmed the requests are currently being worked on_
DeputyCityManagerSylviaVazquezstatedtheagendaincludesthefinalitemfrom the request list and the Commission will be notified of incoming complaints, which will be brought forward in closed session.
PUBLIC COMMENTS-- Publiccommentswill be heldduringthe beginningofthe 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:Thefollowingspeakeraddressedthe Commissioninperson:
SandraDeAndaspokeregardingongoingImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE) operationswithinthecity, recentincidentsinvolvingmaskedindividualspotentiallyposing as agents, andpoliceinteractionswithfederalagentsonpublicproperty.
ThefollowingspeakeraddressedtheCommissionviateleconference' ManuelArreguinspoke regardingnot being unable to join a prior Police Oversight Commissionmeetingand his complaintsubmittedto 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 requestedquarterlyreportsregardingthe frequencyof ICE requestsfor retainers, holds, interviews, the number of police calls for service related to ICE, and a summary of ICE activities in the city.
DeputyChiefAndradestatedthe SAPDlegal advisorreviewsand createstraining 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 statedjudicial 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 accessedbyICEthroughtheAutomaticLicensePlateRecognition (ALPR) system.
Deputy ChiefAndradestated SAPDis not documentingcriminalbehavioras it relates to federal agents but officers can provide contact information for federal agenciesif thepublicwouldliketo submita complaint. He clarifiedSAPDdoesnot 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 Carpenterasked whether SAPD would provide rescue aide to ICE agents.
DeputyChiefAndradestatedSAPDprovidesaidtoanyonewhoselifeisthreatened.
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 organizationsforplannedevents, but verificationis notpossibleduringdispersalof events, and seizure of materials occurs when they may contain evidence. He explained SAPD trains officers to support media safety, improvements to amplified devicesmaybe beneficial, andchemicalagentingredientlist willbe provided.
Commissioner Said shared personal observations of SantaAna 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.
DeputyChiefAndradestatedAssemblyBill 48 requirespublicavailabilityof 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 15years regardingdisciplineof officersnot followingprocedureor protocolto public demonstrations, seconded by CommissionerMejia.
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 protestsare handledindividuallyand sharedconcernsbasedon past experience with riots.
Commander Couso stated each demonstration is treated separately.
Vice Chair Castillo Laughton asked whether officers receive bias training and whetherthetrainingis re-emphasizedbeforeofficersrespondtoprotests.
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 Carpenterclarified 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 CityAttorney.
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
CommissionerPerea 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 impactof thecommissionandclarifiedhe is not recommendingpolicyadoption.
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 establishingCommissioneremailaddressesasrequestedby theCommission.
DeputyChiefRolandAndradeannouncedthePawsandNuggetseventwithChick- 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.
DeputyCityManagerSylviaVazquezstatedthe U-Visaitemmayreturnat the December commission meeting.
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 8 NOVEMBER 13, 2025
CommissionerSaidspokeregardingherpositiveexperienceattendingtheSantaAna PoliceDepartmentTrunk-or-Treatevent, wishedeveryoneaHappyThanksgiving, and thanked staff for their hard work.
CommissionerPereathankedstaffforthepresentationsandechoedCommissioner Mejia's commentsregardingcommunityengagement.
Chair Carpenter spoke regarding opportunities for public engagement at neighborhoodassociations, encouragedthe commissionto becomeinvolvedwith theirneighborhoodassociation, andthankedstafffortheinformationprovided.
ADJOURNMENT -AdjournthePoliceOversightCommissionMeeting.
MINUTES: ChairCarpenteradjoumedthePoliceOversightCommissionmeeting at 8: 35 P. M.
Thenextmeetingof thePoliceOversightCommissionisscheduledforDecember 11, 2025 at 5: 00 P. M.
Respectfully submitted:
W_Kelly Flores
Recording Secretary
POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION 9 NOVEMBER 13, 2025