Carlsbad police commission re‑elects Chair Zepeda, names vice chair Freese

Chair Zepeda opened the Carlsbad Police Community Engagement Commission meeting and the panel moved to elect leadership for the coming term. Vice Chair Freese nominated Chair Zepeda for a second term as chair; Commissioner Novak seconded the nomination and the commission voted unanimously to reappoint Zepeda. Chair Zepeda then nominated the vice chair (recorded in the transcript as “Mr. Fazee”) and Commissioner Novak seconded; the commission approved the vice‑chair nomination by unanimous voice vote.

Staff (Miss Medina) briefed the commission on a City Council direction and ordinance (CS 508) that reduced the commission’s recommended meeting frequency. Medina said the City Council introduced ordinance CS 508 on Feb. 10 and adopted it Feb. 24; the ordinance became effective 30 days later. Based on room and staff availability, staff proposed two regular meetings for 2026 (July 14 and Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.) and the commission voted to adopt the proposed meeting calendar unanimously.

The clerk confirmed there were no public commenters on the agenda items. The commission discussed the ability to call special meetings if needed; staff said special meetings can be requested by the chair, vice chair or any commission member and would be scheduled when sufficient materials or an emergency warranted it. The meeting proceeded to departmental reports after the votes.