Council directs staff to prepare report and debates where to host public review of June 2025 protest response

Councilmember Matt Vasquez asked the city manager and police department on Feb. 3 to prepare a comprehensive public report and to direct the Police Oversight Commission (POC) to hold a public hearing on law‑enforcement actions taken during protests at the Civic Center in June 2025. Vasquez’s requested scope included total response costs, an inventory of crowd‑control munitions, body‑worn and aerial footage (subject to legal redactions), incident‑command decisions and after‑action reports.

The request prompted a prolonged discussion about process and venue. Several council members argued that the POC is the appropriate body to receive complaints and review them in open and closed session where needed; others said the council chambers are a neutral public forum where residents who experienced the events could safely testify. City staff and the city attorney warned that some materials and testimony are limited by ongoing tort claims and confidentiality requirements; police staff also said complaints related to the incident have already been filed and some remain under review.

After debate staff estimated it would take approximately 60 days to prepare a report that would be limited in scope to avoid compromising investigations or litigation. Council members expressed support for public transparency while asking staff and the POC to coordinate the timing and format of any hearing so council members and affected residents can participate. Chief Rodriguez noted the department had already received some complaints and that a limited scope would be necessary to protect personnel privacy and legal requirements.

No formal legislative ordinance was adopted; staff was directed to return with a report and options for a public forum. The city attorney advised that elected officials generally should not participate in subordinate commission meetings but that the council can request a commission hearing or schedule a city council‑level public report if it so chooses.

The item concluded with staff committing to prepare materials and return to council with options for how to present the report and whether the POC or council meeting would be the appropriate public forum.