Tag / Police

by The Orange County Reporter

Police Brutality in Santa Ana

Police Violence & Brutality in Santa Ana

Police brutality in Santa Ana has been an issue, which has received lots of concern from the people and especially the activists. Several mishandled cases of use of force and police misconduct involving affines of the Santa Ana Police Department or SAPD have received public outcry. Such occurrences happen in contact with minority groups making many people question the department and their conduct.

Notable Incidents

This has led to several cases of police brutality being highlighted of which some have occurred in Santa Ana. This occurred when some of the officers were said to have involved unnecessary force when arresting some individuals which resulted to harm and protest. These factors have led to investigations and have been the force behind community activism for police accountability of their conducts.

Community Response and Activism

To counter the claims of the police brutality local activists and groups have come forward to push for reform within the SAPD. Citizens, however, have demanded reform to the police functioning, one on the ability to control force or in proper handling of riots, and the other concerning the absence of a body unrelated to the police force that supervises their actions. People walk to incite justice for victims of the police brutality while numerous public demonstrations are heard to respond to injustice.

Calls for Reform

Responding to years of police misconduct in Santa Ana, people continue raising their voices to address the problem systemically. There are people that would like the state to introduce measures when the citizens are protected rather than being harmed. This entails increasing support to police officers’ mental health and improving the Force/Public Order Policies.

SAPD

Conclusion

The problem of police misconduct hence the excessive use of force in Santa Ana is still prevalent with people demanding a change. The above concerns can only be addressed as the societies gain trust in the police and feel safe with whatever actions the police take against them.

by The Orange County Reporter

Santa Ana Police Department Misuse of Vehicle Mounted Spotlights and Public Safety

During the last year and a half, The Orange County Reporter correspondent  investigative reporter Igmar Rodas has been documenting the Santa Ana Police Department misuse of Vehicle Mounted Spotlights on their Patrol Vehicles.

As it has been documented Santa Ana Police Officers have been using the Spotlights in emergency situations, regular traffic stops, but also shining the spotlights onto oncoming traffic.  This has been a concern to many Community Leaders and the public in general especially those who have been affected by the misuse of the spotlights by the Santa Ana Police Officers.

Several Safety concerns that were observed were when the police officers used the lights onto oncoming traffic going the opposite direction of the officers, those drivers were getting startled up to a point of getting into an accident.  Our correspondent Reporter has witnessed this safety issue as he has been a victim of such practice of misuse of spotlights.  The last time it happened to him about 3 weeks ago, he slightly lost control of his vehicle and hitting the curb while the Police Officers going the opposite direction sped off at a high rated speed.

Santa Ana Police Department Patrol Vehicle with Spotlights.

There have been other instances where our Correspondent Reporter has witnessed that practice of equipment misuse and nearly causing accidents by the abuse of those police officers.

 Mr. Rodas reached out to Santa Ana Mayor Sarmiento in concern of the misuse of the Spotlights; Mayor Sarmiento said that he would pass along the information in regards to this. Mayor Sarmiento did keep his word and the Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin Issued a Department Wide Directive as of April 27th 2021 on the Use of the Spotlights mounted on the Patrol Vehicles.

“Based on the public safety hazard and in response to community and Council concerns, effective immediately the indiscriminate use of vehicle mounted spotlights towards the driver of a moving vehicle is PROHIBITED, unless officers can articulate exigent circumstances necessitating their use”

Santa Ana Police Chief Directive 21-1 Use of Vehicle Spotlights

Chief of Police Directive 21-1 , USE OF VEHICLE SPOTLIGHTS.

This is a VICTORY for Santa Ana Residents because of the safety issue that was at stake