The Santa Ana Police Department's (SAPD) lack of transparency and accountability in its use of militarized equipment is a betrayal of public trust and a violation of state law.
In 2022, the Santa Ana City Council approved a military equipmentment use policy in a 4-2-1 vote. While Councilmembers Jessie Lopez, David Penaloza, Thai Viet Phan, and former Councilmember Nelida Mendoza voted in favor, Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez and former Mayor Vicente Sarmiento dissented, voicing concerns about the policy's implications for community safety and trust. I argue that the community concerns are well-founded.
Santa Ana’s use of military equipment remains out of compliance with two critical state laws: AB 481 and AB 48. AB 481 requires California law enforcement agencies to publish detailed information about their militarized gear and to engage the community in discussions about its use. AB 48 restricts the use of chemical agents and "less lethal" projectiles for crowd control unless there is an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury. Yet, Santa Ana’s officials have failed to meet these legal obligations. The SAPD has not published its finalized military equipment use policy, annual public reports, or held the mandatory community engagement meetings.
Councilmember Hernandez’s remarks at the May 17, 2022 City Council meeting underline the need for reform: “To have policing strategies that are overly aggressive does not contribute to us feeling safer.”
Santa Ana’s neglect stands in stark contrast to neighboring cities like Anaheim, Tustin, and Irvine, which maintain accessible websites featuring updated military equipment policies and annual public reports. These cities provide a blueprint for transparency and accountability, showing that compliance with the law is both possible and necessary. The SAPD’s continued failure to follow suit raises troubling questions about its commitment to serving the public. If other cities can meet these standards, why can’t Santa Ana?
The urgency of these requirements is highlighted by recent incidents of police misconduct involving militarized equipment. During the 2020 civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, Santa Ana police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at protesters. On September 28, 2021, Santa Ana police deployed a Bearcat SWAT vehicle in a stand-off that ended in the death of Brandon Lopez, an unarmed man shot 22 times by Anaheim police while his family pleaded for de-escalation. The city of Anaheim later settled with Lopez’s family for nearly $6 million in June 2024. These tragedies underscore the dangers of militarized policing and the urgent need for accountability. The use of military-grade equipment in such situations does not enhance public safety; it endangers lives and deepens the divide between law enforcement and the community.
A Call to Action for Santa Ana’s Future
Santa Ana residents must demand immediate action from city leaders to address critical issues surrounding police practices and public safety. The time for transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform is now.
To start, the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) must enforce full compliance with AB 481 and AB 48. This means publishing a finalized military equipment use policy, releasing annual public reports, and scheduling accessible, well-publicized community engagement meetings. These steps are not just requirements of the law—they are essential for rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the community.
City leaders must prioritize increasing oversight of the SAPD. Hiring an Oversight Director and empowering the Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission (SAPOC) to thoroughly review the department’s use of militarized equipment are necessary measures to ensure compliance with state laws and maintain checks on police power.
Equally important is the need to prioritize de-escalation in policing strategies. Investments should be made in non-lethal alternatives, and comprehensive training for officers in de-escalation techniques.
The community must be at the heart of these reforms. Santa Ana’s leaders should establish regular forums where residents can openly voice concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback about police policies and practices. Dialogue is essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable approach to public safety.
Santa Ana’s leaders have a choice: continue to enable a culture of misconduct and dangerous policing practices, or take meaningful steps toward transparency, accountability, and justice. The community must hold them accountable. Public safety cannot come at the expense of public trust.
The SAPD must not only comply with state laws but also strive to become a model of integrity and accountability. Anything less is unacceptable.
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