Fernando Delgado, nominated to serve on Santa Ana’s first police oversight commission, stood before the Santa Ana City Council and declared: “I’m not some villainous boogeyman.”
In a highly unusual move, City Council members invited Delgado to defend himself after one of the councilmembers questioned his appointment and accused the community organizer of being biased against police.
In the end, the council split 4-3 Tuesday night, April 4, against appointing Delgado. The vote came after a charged discussion revolving around the intent of the police commission, who should serve on it and how the council appoints residents to its commissions.
In November, the City Council approved a police oversight commission, a group of seven civilians (including one retired police officer) to review complaints of officer misconduct and make recommendations regarding the department’s policies and practices. The commission is an advisory board and will act through a new independent oversight director, but neither will have the authority to discipline officers.
The next step is deciding who will be on the commission.
Most City Council appointments go without a hitch. Usually, each councilmember gets to nominate someone, and the rest of the council rubber stamps that recommendation.
In recent months, the council began those appointments.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua nominated Danny Vega, an electrical engineer who previously ran for City Council and administers a community Facebook page. Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez nominated Carlos Perea, a local activist who became the first Santa Ana resident without legal immigration status to be appointed to another city oversight commission, which he served on for almost three years.
Both nominees were easily approved by the council under what’s called the “consent calendar,” typically a compilation of items that require a single vote and no discussion. After those unanimous votes, Vega and Perea were sworn in; applause and…
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