Independent Police Auditor and Mexican Consulate Sign MOU to Aid Mexican Nationals in San Jose

On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, many members from the community came together to see two San Jose sectors working together to help the Latino community protect their rights — the San Jose Independent Police Auditor and the Mexican Consulate. This collaboration is the first step towards a better relationship between the Latino community of San Jose and the San Jose Police Department, which has had a rocky past. “This is another step towards making this city a better one,” said Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Judge LaDoris Cordell.

Consulate General of Mexico in San Jose Honorable David Figueroa Ortega and Judge Cordell

Judge Cordell and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Jose Honorable David Figueroa Ortega both signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) which details monthly IPA outreach activities at the Mexican consulate. According to the MOU, there will be an IPA staff member available at the Mexican consulate in San Jose half a day per month in order to inform the public about the services offered by the IPA and to answer questions regarding the San Jose Police Department's misconduct complaint process.

“Bienvenidos and welcome” were the first words to come out of Judge Cordell's mouth as the press conference started. She stated how the MOU will serve as an alternative location for the IPA to let the public know about the services offered by the office. She also explained how the MOU was the result of feedback that the IPA received from the Mexican Consulate regarding the Mexican nationals who would like more information regarding their rights to file complaints against police misconduct. Specifically, the Consulate had concerns about Mexican nationals who live and work in the City of San Jose being sometimes fearful of going to the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) or to the IPA office to file complaints about San Jose's police officers. IPA staff member Diane Doolan stressed that the IPA does not work for the SJPD or immigration — a fact they hope this new relationship with the Mexican Consulate will help clarify.

The Full MOU can be viewed on line at www.sanjoseca.gov/ipa

Complaints of police misconduct in San Jose can be made at: Telephone: (408)794-6226 // Fax: (408)977-1053 address: 75 East Santa Clara Street, Suite P-93, San Jose, CA 95113 Email: ind_pol_aud_@sanjoseca.gov

The Mexican Consulate is located at 2125 Zanker RD, San Jose, California. The Honorable David Figueroa Ortega is currently the Consulate General of Mexico in San Jose, California.