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Santa Ana police outline First Amendment assembly policy; commission presses for clarity on dispersal orders, media access and less-lethal reporting
Summary
SAPD presented Policy 4-29 on protests and assemblies, stressing respect for peaceful expression, training, and Accountability under AB 48; commissioners sought specifics on media credentialing, dispersal orders, chemical agents, documentation of less‑lethal munitions and past incidents. Staff pointed to AB 48 reports posted on the department website.
Santa Ana Police Department commanders told the Police Oversight Commission on Nov. 13 that officers are trained to protect peaceful First Amendment activity while preserving public safety, and described procedures for planned and unplanned demonstrations. Commissioners used the session to press for specifics about how the department applies dispersal orders, treats media at protest scenes, and documents use of less‑lethal munitions.
Commander Gary Cuso, who oversees field operations, said Policy 4-29 is taught in the academy and reinforced in roll call training. He described an emphasis on de-escalation, targeted arrest tactics to remove agitators, mobile field force training for supervisors, and after-action debriefs to correct tactics. Cuso…
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