The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), which serves as the civilian oversight agency of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), offers a series of learning opportunities throughout the year available to members of the public (civilian and sworn) through its COPA People’s Academy (CPA).

 

This six-week condensed version of COPA’s Training Academy is for the public (civilian or sworn) and organizations around the country interested in learning about Civilian Police Oversight, Investigative and Legal Concepts as well as the role of COPA’s Policy, Research and Analyses Division (PRAD). Each course will be taught by COPA Subject Matter Experts.

 

We are now accepting applications for Session 3 of COPA People’s Academy. To apply, please complete the application form at the bottom of the page.

 

COPA People’s Academy Session 3

May 21, 2024 – June 25, 2024
Every Tuesday from 6:00-8:30 P.M.
North Park University
3225 W Foster Avenue, Chicago Illinois 60625

 

Tentative Session Three Syllabus

Date Course Topic Presenter(s)
May 21, 2024
  • Introduction to COPA People’s Academy
  • History of Civilian Oversight of Policing in Chicago
  • COPA’s Jurisdiction
  • How to File a Complaint
 Andrea Kersten – Chief Administrator, Jay Westensee – Chief of Staff, and Ephraim Eaddy – 1st Deputy Chief Administrator

LaKenya White – Director of Investigations
May 28, 2024
  • Use of Force
  • Video Release Policy and Analyzing Video
 Steffany Hreno – Director of Investigations

Shannon Hayes – Director of Investigations
June 4, 2024
  • Introduction to Officer-Involved Shooting/Death Investigations
  • Major Incident Investigations & Response
 Matthew Haynam – Deputy Chief & Angela Hearts-Glass – Deputy Chief
June 11, 2024
  • Domestic Violence & Sexual Misconduct Investigations
  • Rules and Regulations
 Kim Edstrom Schiller – Supervising Investigator

Shannon Hayes – Director of Investigations
June 18, 2024
  • Witness Reliability
  • 4th Amendment – Improper Search and Seizure
 Cynthia Erno – Senior Litigation Counsel

Angela Snell – Assistant General Counsel & Katarina Durcova – Chief Investigative Law Officer
June 25, 2024
  • COPA Summary Reports, Disciplinary Recommendations, COPA’s Role in the Disciplinary Process
  • COPA’s Policy, Research and Analyses Division/How to Use COPA’s Data Dashboard
  • Arbitration
 Andrea Kersten – Chief Administrator

Justin Escamilla – Deputy Chief

Robin Murphy – General Counsel

 

If you have any questions, please contact: COPA-PublicAffairs@chicagocopa.org