Santa Ana to hire outside investigator in police arrest case

Santa Ana officials voted unanimously to hire an independent investigator to review a viral video showing police officers beating and arresting Florentino Lopez after he was thrown from the hood of a police car, Voice of OC reported.

The case has become a local test of police accountability in Orange County, involving the Santa Ana Police Department, city officials and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua said the City Council directed the city attorney and city manager to engage an independent investigator and report findings back to elected officials, according to Voice of OC.

The review follows an Oct. 1 arrest shown in a viral video. Voice of OC reported the video shows Lopez bent over a police car before an officer threw him onto the street and punched him repeatedly in the head.

Amezcua also said officials voted unanimously to release the officers' names and body-worn camera footage if it is legally determined that great bodily injury occurred from the use-of-force incident, according to Voice of OC.

Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez said the department is reviewing the incident, including body-worn camera footage, reports and the circumstances around the arrest, Voice of OC reported. City spokesman Paul Eakins confirmed there will also be an internal Santa Ana Police Department investigation.

Council members discussed an anticipated lawsuit over the arrest in closed session before the public meeting, which started about two hours late, according to Voice of OC. Councilman Johnathan Hernandez called on District Attorney Todd Spitzer to drop the charges against Lopez and investigate the officers.

Councilwoman Thai Viet Phan said California's Peace Officers Bill of Rights limits the city's ability to fire police officers without following required legal processes, Voice of OC reported.

Voice of OC reported the case also comes amid past criticism of Santa Ana police over responses to immigration-enforcement demonstrations and the 2024 police killing of Noe Rodriguez, who was carrying a toy gun.