Families and advocates press Anaheim council for police transparency after the death of Albert Arzola
May 05, 2026 | Anaheim, Orange County, California
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Dozens of community members pressed the Anaheim City Council on May 5 to publicly release materials and hold officers accountable following the December fatal shooting of 19‑year‑old Albert Arzola.
Christine Lopez, a relative of Arzola, told the council the family and the community “demand the autopsy to be released” and said footage and the officer’s name must be made public. “If one of the first officers’ camera was not on, that's a violation of policy,” she said, urging consequences for any officers who failed to follow department rules.
Speakers representing CSO Orange County repeated calls for discipline and transparency. Matt, a CSO member, directly accused Officer Nathan Garcia of killing Arzola and called on Police Chief Manny Sid to fire him immediately. “We demand that all the materials that have been asked for be released immediately,” he said, adding that repeated public‑records requests for bodycam footage and reports have not been fulfilled.
David Pulido of CSO said the city delayed disclosing the officer’s name and accused officials of protecting officers at the expense of community safety. “We demand the public release of all body camera footage,” Pulido said, and he called for the autopsy report to be made public.
Family members described grief and frustration. Grace Arzola said she was troubled that an officer’s camera appeared to be off during the encounter and said that absence “should really scare you” because it eliminates key evidence. Several speakers played or referenced clips and alleged earlier incidents involving the same officer.
Council members did not take formal action during public comment. The council heard similar testimony from many residents during a long public‑comment period and later approved the consent calendar without debate. The meeting concluded with a request by Councilmember Bayless to return a resolution opposing the High Speed Rail Authority’s draft business plan at a future meeting.
Christine Lopez, a relative of Arzola, told the council the family and the community “demand the autopsy to be released” and said footage and the officer’s name must be made public. “If one of the first officers’ camera was not on, that's a violation of policy,” she said, urging consequences for any officers who failed to follow department rules.
Speakers representing CSO Orange County repeated calls for discipline and transparency. Matt, a CSO member, directly accused Officer Nathan Garcia of killing Arzola and called on Police Chief Manny Sid to fire him immediately. “We demand that all the materials that have been asked for be released immediately,” he said, adding that repeated public‑records requests for bodycam footage and reports have not been fulfilled.
David Pulido of CSO said the city delayed disclosing the officer’s name and accused officials of protecting officers at the expense of community safety. “We demand the public release of all body camera footage,” Pulido said, and he called for the autopsy report to be made public.
Family members described grief and frustration. Grace Arzola said she was troubled that an officer’s camera appeared to be off during the encounter and said that absence “should really scare you” because it eliminates key evidence. Several speakers played or referenced clips and alleged earlier incidents involving the same officer.
Council members did not take formal action during public comment. The council heard similar testimony from many residents during a long public‑comment period and later approved the consent calendar without debate. The meeting concluded with a request by Councilmember Bayless to return a resolution opposing the High Speed Rail Authority’s draft business plan at a future meeting.
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