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Residents urge independent investigations and firings after multiple officer‑involved killings in Santa Ana
Summary
Community members delivered a petition and public comments asking the Police Oversight Commission to investigate the deaths of Noe Rodriguez and 15‑year‑old Jaden Michaca, to recommend firings for involved officers, and to change SAPD mental‑health and use‑of‑force policies.
Dozens of residents and activists told the Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission on July 9 that the panel must use its authority to demand independent investigations and disciplinary recommendations after multiple recent officer‑involved deaths.
"We are here delivering a petition signed by Santa Ana residents who want to hold killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ybarra accountable for the murder of Duane Rodriguez on 12/01/2024," Matthew Compton, introduced as a member of Community Service Organization's Orange County Police Accountability Committee, told commissioners. Compton said body‑camera footage contradicts officers' account, that a so‑called replica firearm was a plastic toy from a brand called "Kids Toys," and that the coroner recorded 16 bullet wounds on Noe's body. "We insist that the independent oversight director, Jack Morris, investigate the officer involved shooting of Noe," he said.
Speakers pressed similar demands in separate comments about the December killing of 15‑year‑old Jaden Michaca. "Jaden was only 15 years old, suffering a mental health crisis when police broke into his home and shot him to death," David Pulido said, adding that the Michaca family told him Jaden had bipolar disorder and prior psychiatric calls. Pulido asked the commission to recommend disciplinary action and policy changes for mental‑health responses, citing departmental policies numbered 300 (use of force), 305 (officer‑involved shootings and deaths), 409 (mental‑health commitments) and 427 (critical intervention incidents).
Other speakers shared personal accounts and community petitions. "On the petition for Noe, we have 94 signatures from Santa Ana representing 10 different outreach actions," Abe Que said; he added the petition contains hundreds of additional signatures gathered across neighboring cities and events. Rosie Camacho, who said her son was killed by an Anaheim officer in December 2025, told the commission families are "grieving" and called for independent investigations that exclude involved officers.
Multiple commentators argued SAPD training and policy are failing residents in crisis. "No mental health crisis should be a death sentence," Steph Dorantes told the commission, urging use of de‑escalation and nonlethal tactics.
Commissioners did not take a formal disciplinary action at the July 9 meeting. Public testimony closed before the commission moved through the consent calendar and other items; several speakers explicitly requested the oversight director (Jack Morris) investigate these incidents and report recommendations to Police Chief Robert Rodriguez, City Manager Alvaro Nunez and the City Council.
The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2026, when commissioners could choose to place investigative or policy items on a future agenda.
