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Santa Ana oversight panel presses department to clarify immigration policy and data sharing
Summary
The Police Oversight Commission reviewed SAPD Policy 4-13 on immigration enforcement, heard that officers do not honor civil detainers absent judicial warrants, and voted to direct staff to research whether the policy’s "criminal immigration violation" definition aligns with state and federal law. Commissioners pressed for clearer data on ICE contacts and pursuit-related reports.
The Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission spent much of its Nov. 13 meeting probing how the Santa Ana Police Department handles immigration-related contacts and jail reporting, and voted to ask staff for further research on the policy’s language.
Commander George Lopez of the Santa Ana Police Department told the commission that Policy 4-13 aligns with the city’s sanctuary ordinance and state law (referred to in the meeting as SB 54, the California Values Act): SAPD officers “are not authorized to enforce federal immigration laws,” Lopez said, adding the department will not honor ICE or Immigration and Customs Enforcement civil detainers unless accompanied by a judicial warrant.
The vote followed a staff briefing and questions about data availability and implementation. Correctional manager Ken Willard said the jail does not release inmates’ planned release dates…
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