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Santa Ana City Council to Vote on Police Oversight Director Appointment

Santa Ana City Council meeting discussing the appointment of a police oversight director.

News Summary

The Santa Ana City Council will vote on appointing T. Jack Morse as the first police oversight director amid concerns over police accountability. This critical role involves investigating serious allegations against officers, with the commission struggling to function effectively without a director. The council’s unanimous support reflects a collective acknowledgment of the need for improved transparency and accountability within the police department. Proposed amendments might restrict the commission’s authority, raising alarms about its future effectiveness. The urgency for the appointment has been highlighted by ongoing frustrations with the current limitations.

Santa Ana – The Santa Ana City Council is set to vote on the appointment of T. Jack Morse as the first police oversight director, a step that comes amid increasing concerns over delays in accountability within the police force. This vote will take place during a council meeting on Tuesday, July 1, and if approved, Morse will begin a two-year term with an annual salary of $250,000.

As the proposed oversight director, Morse will be responsible for investigating serious allegations against police officers. These allegations include instances of deadly police shootings, in-custody deaths, excessive use of force, discrimination, dishonesty, sexual assault, unlawful arrests, and interference with protests. The urgency for this role stems from the fact that, without a director, complaints against the police have been routed back to the Santa Ana Police Department leadership for review, impeding independent investigations and raising significant questions about the effectiveness of the oversight commission.

The Police Oversight Commission was established in 2022 to enhance both transparency and accountability within the Santa Ana Police Department. However, the commission has faced difficulties functioning effectively, as it has been stalled without a director. Since the commission’s complaint portal became operational in March 2024, it has received dozens of submissions, yet investigations cannot move forward in the absence of a director. Complaints have continued to accumulate, but the challenges posed by the lack of leadership have stymied any progress.

California law requires that allegations of officer misconduct be investigated within one year of the city’s awareness. Consequently, there are rising concerns about the timeliness of investigations related to these complaints. This legislative mandate highlights the pressing need for the oversight director role to be filled, as delays in appointments pose risks of missing critical deadlines for investigations.

Morse brings extensive experience to the table, having spent nearly eight years in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and serving as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. His background may lend credibility to the commission’s efforts to uphold civil rights and accountability standards in policing.

The City Council’s recommendation to appoint Morse garnered unanimous support, reflecting a collective acknowledgment of the need for improved accountability and transparency within the police department. Currently, the commission consists of seven residents appointed by the City Council, but due to the absence of a director, it has struggled to carry out its mandate and has been limited in its capacity to establish agendas and investigate complaints.

Proposed amendments to the municipal code could further restrict the commission’s authority, raising alarm among both commissioners and community members about the commission’s future effectiveness and its independence from city politics. Some councilmembers have expressed intentions to circumscribe the operational powers of the commission, which could exacerbate existing tensions between the commission and city officials.

Commissioner Carlos Perea warned that the effectiveness of the oversight director will rely heavily on the City Council’s willingness to support the commission’s operational autonomy and mission. Frustrations have mounted among commissioners who feel thwarted in their responsibilities to the community due to ongoing limitations imposed upon them without a director in place. The situation has been exacerbated by the City Council repeatedly canceling meetings without satisfactory explanations, further complicating the relationship between the commission and city management.

The urgency for action is underscored by the lack of progress since the commission’s inception, which has spurred calls for expediency in appointing a director. For the Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission to function as intended, it must maintain independence from the police department and withstand any political pressures that could hinder its critical oversight role.