Santa Cruz Police Department Announces the Reinstatement of Chief’s Advisory Committee
Deputy Chief Rick Martinez announced today the reformation of the Chief’s Advisory Committee.
The Santa Cruz Police Chief’s Advisory Committee consists of local leaders in the field of homelessness, mental health, education, faith, social justice, as well as neighborhood, business and community leaders. The Committee will address the most pressing issues facing the Santa Cruz Police Department, specifically around Department policies and accountability, and provide critical feedback to the Department on these issues. The discussions allow the Department to engage and collaborate with the community in a comprehensive manner with goals of increasing public safety, confidence and trust.
“We are fortunate to work with such a diverse and qualified group of people to review imminent policies such as body cameras,” said Deputy Chief Martinez. “The relaunch of the Chief’s Advisory Committee gives community members a greater voice and most importantly builds public trust. The input shared will assist the Department in refining our community policing concepts, and improve public awareness about future Department initiatives.”
The panel, chaired by Deputy Chief Martinez, will meet monthly starting in April. Positions on the Chief's Advisory Committee are voluntary and unpaid.
The Chief’s Advisory Committee includes the following members:
Robert Orizzi- Santa Cruz Neighbors Analicia Cube- Take Back Santa Cruz
Sarah Durant-Smith – Resource Center for Nonviolence
Steve Pleich- American Civil Liberties Union/Mental Health Client Action Network
Brent Adams- Warming Center
Brenda Griffin- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Celeste Faraola-Perie- Downtown Business Owner
William Ow- Business Owner/Developer
Mark Hodges- Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Nane Alejandrez- Barrios Unidos
Phil Kramer- Homeless Services Center
Beverly Brook-Peace United Church of Christ
Sharon Papo-Santa Cruz Diversity Center
Sheryl Lee- National Alliance on Mental Illness
JD Sotelo-Neighbors of Lower Ocean
ABOUT SCPD
The Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) is committed to working in partnership with the community to enhance public safety, prevent crime, enforce laws and protect the rights of all people through innovative problem-solving approaches. A progressive, professional organization, SCPD officers are dedicated to conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards and the department is accountable to the community. SCPD has 94 sworn officers and 29 civilian staff to protect and serve Santa Cruz’s 64,000 residents and millions of annual visitors. Learn more at www.santacruzpolice.com, http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com, or via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.