ITEM STATUS:
APPROVED: ☐
DENIED: ☐
TABLED: ☐
DIRECTION GIVEN: ☐
____________________________
City Clerk, Maribel Garcia
36501, the governmental structure for general law cities operating under a Council/City Manager form of government allows for a Chief of Police appointed by the City Manager.
On April 22, 2026, the City issued notice to the City of Whittier of its intent to terminate the agreement for the provision of police services in the City by the Whittier Police Department effective as of February 29, 2028. Staff recommends adoption of Ordinance No. 1170 authorizing the formation of the Santa Fe Springs Police Department in accordance with all requirements necessary for certification as a member agency with the California Commission on peace officer standards and training and directs that all duly appointed sworn police officers of the of the Santa Fe Springs Police Department be granted peace officer authority ad outlined in California Penal Code Section 830.1 In order to seek and qualify to receive aid from the State of California under the provisions of Section 13522, Chapter 1 of Title 4, Part 4 of the California Penal Code, the City Council must adopt an ordinance accepting the requirements of the Penal Code relating to the recruitment and training of Law Enforcement Officers, otherwise known as the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training ( POST).
POST was established by the Legislature in 1959 to set minimum selection and training for California law enforcement. POST funding consists of State General Fund and State Penalty Fund derived from penalty assessments on criminal and traffic fines. The POST Program is voluntary and incentive-based. Participating agencies agree to abide by the standards established by POST. More than 600 agencies participate in the POST Program and are eligible to receive the POST’’s services and benefits which include:
• Job-related assessment tools
• Research improved officer selection standards
• Management counseling services
• Development of new training courses
• Quality leadership training programs
POST also awards professional certificates to recognize peace officer achievement and proficiency It is recommended the City Council approve the attached Ordinance for first reading which codifies into the City’s Municipal Code the establishment of the Santa Fe Springs Police Department. The Ordinance also codifies the City’s acceptance of the statutory requirements relating to the recruitment and training standards of law enforcement officers as established by POST.
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. Ordinance No. 1170
APPROVED:
ITEM NO.:
ORDINANCE NO. 1170
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE III
(ADMINISTRATION) OF THE SANTA FE SPRINGS
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING NEW CHAPTER 42
ENTITLED “POLICE DEPARTMENT AND POST
STANDARDS AND TRAINING” CODIFYING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SANTA FE SPRINGS POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATUTORY
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE RECRUITMENT AND
TRAINING STANDARDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION ON
PEACE OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Fe Springs has contracted with the City of Whitter for law enforcement services since 1995; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Fe Springs City Council (“City Council”) wishes to form a municipal police department for the City of Santa Fe Spring (“City”) which will provide police services to the City in lieu of police services provided by the City of Whittier; and WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution provides that a city may make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with the general laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, once formed, general law cities like the City of Santa Fe Springs (“City”), have authority to structure and manage their own affairs, including deciding what municipal services they will provide; and
WHEREAS, cities also have broad power to decide the instrumentalities by which municipal services will be provided; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature, under Government Code section 53060.7(a)(2) acknowledges that cities and counties are the traditional law enforcement providers in the State of California; and
WHEREAS, under Government Code sections 36501 contemplate a government structure for general law cities that includes a Chief of Police who under the City Manager form of government may appointed by the City Manager; and WHEREAS, on April 22, 2026, the City issued written notice to the City of Whittier of its intent to terminate the agreement for the provision of police services in the City by the Whittier Police Department effective as of February 29, 2028; and APPROVED:
ITEM NO.:
WHEREAS, the City Council herein finds that it is in the best interests of the City to form its own municipal police department and to separate from the existing law enforcement services;
WHEREAS, the City Council authorizes the formation of the Santa Fe Springs Police Department in accordance with all requirements necessary for certification as a Member Agency with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and directed that all duly appointed sworn peace officers of the Santa Fe Springs Police Department be granted peace officer authority as outlined in California Penal Code Section 830.1; and
WHEREAS, in order to seek and qualify to receive aid from the State of California under the provisions of Section 13522, Chapter 1 of Title 4, Part 4 of the California Penal Code, the City Council must adopt this Ordinance accepting the requirements of the Penal Code relating to the recruitment and training of Law Enforcement Officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Title III (Administration) of the Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code is hereby amended to add a new Chapter 42 entitled “Police Department and POST Standards and Training” which shall state the following:
CHAPTER 42: - POLICE DEPARTMENT AND POST STANDARDS AND
TRAINING
42.01 Office of chief of police and police department created.
The office of the chief of police is created and established. The chief of police shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the city manager, subject to applicable law. There is created a functional unit of city government known as the Santa Fe Springs Police Department, under the general administration of the city manager, which shall be under the direction and control of the police chief. All other references to the Chief of Police under the Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code shall refer to the Chief of Police within the meaning of this chapter.
42.02 Police department functions.
The department shall:
A. Preserve the peace and security of the city;
B. Enforce all laws of the United States, State of California, and all ordinances of the city except when the provisions thereof make the enforcement the responsibility of another officer, department or of another state or federal agency or officer;
APPROVED:
ITEM NO.:
C. Perform disaster and mutual aid services in accordance with approved plans and agreements; and
D. Perform such other related duties as shall be required by law, ordinance, or the city manager.
42.03 Chief of police; powers and duties.
The chief of police shall possess those powers and be subject to those duties and responsibilities set forth under Title 4 (Government of Cities), Division 3 (Officers), Part 3 (Other Officers), Chapter 6 (Chief of Police) of the California Government Code codified at Government Code sections 41601 through 41612. The chief of police shall also have authority, subject to the city manager's approval, to adopt rules and regulations for the administration and discipline of officers and employees of the police department.
42.04 Contracting for municipal law enforcement services.
As of the effective date of the City Council ordinance establishing this chapter, the city is in the process of forming the Santa Fe Springs Police Department (“Department”) and it is anticipated the Department will commence operations by or before March 1, 2028 (the “Start Date”). Pending the Start Date, nothing in this chapter shall limit or prohibit the city from contracting or continuing to contract with another law enforcement agency for municipal law enforcement services. Pending the Start Date, the chief sworn executive officer of the law enforcement agency the City contracts for municipal law enforcement services shall serve as the acting Chief of Police for all intents and purposes under this code subject to the terms and conditions of the contract document between the city and the outside law enforcement agency.
42.05 Acceptance of Police Officer Standards and Training Requirements.
A. Qualifications for Aid.
The City of Santa Fe Springs declares that it desires to qualify to receive aid from the State of California under the provisions of Section 13522, Chapter 1 of Title 4, Part 4 of the California Penal Code.
B. Adherence to State Standards.
Pursuant to Penal Code Section 13510, Chapter 1, of Title 4, Part 4 of the California Penal Code, the City of Santa Fe Springs will adhere to the standards for recruitment and training established by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for Peace Officers.
APPROVED:
ITEM NO.:
C. Commission Inquires.
Pursuant to Section 13512, Chapter 1 of Title 4, Part 4 of the California Penal Code, the Commission and its representatives may make such inquiries as deemed necessary to ascertain that peace officer personnel of the City of Santa Fe Springs adhere to the standards for recruitment and training established by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
SECTION 2. Subsection (B) of Section 10.06 (Definitions) of Chapter 10 (General Provisions) of Title I (General Provisions) of the Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code is hereby amended by the repeal and deletion of the following text contained therein:
Chief of Police. The Chief of Police designated as such by the city contract law enforcement agency, and performing such duties as prescribed by the city code, federal and state statutes.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance is not intended to and shall not be construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the City or any officer or employee thereof a mandatory duty of care toward persons and property within or without the City so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.
SECTION 4. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be separate and severable.
The invalidity of any clause, sentence paragraph, subdivision, section or portion of this Ordinance, or the invalidity of the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Ordinance, or the validity of its application to other persons or circumstances.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption.
SECTION 6. Within fifteen days of the adoption of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause a copy of this Ordinance, to be published in full accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code.
PASSED and ADOPTED this _____ day of __________ 2026, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
ITEM NO.:
___________________________
Joe Angel Zamora, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Maribel Garcia, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________
Rick R. Olivarez, City Attorney
APPROVED:
ITEM NO.:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS.
CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS )
I, Maribel Garcia, City Clerk of the City of Santa Fe Springs, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the ____ day of __________, 2026, and was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
_________________________
Maribel Garcia, City Clerk