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.

 

  • When: Begins October 10, 2023, and Every Tuesday* through November 14, 2023.
  • Where: Bauer Plummer Joint Public Safety Training Campus – 4433 W. Chicago Ave. – Chicago, IL 60651
  • Virtual: A virtual option will be made available for organizations located outside of Chicago
  • Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm CST
* Due to Halloween, the October 31st session will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 6-8 p.m.

 

Registration for Session 2 of COPA People’s Academy is now open. Individuals interested in enrolling can do so below.

 

Course Syllabus

Date Course Topic Presenter(s)
October 10, 2023
  • COPA an Organizational Overview & History of Civilian Oversight of Policing
  • COPA’s Jurisdiction
 Jay Westensee – Chief of Staff Ephraim Eaddy – 1st Deputy Chief Administrator

Andrea Kersten – Chief Administrator
October 17, 2023
  • Introduction to Officer-Involved Shooting/Death Investigations and Major Incident Investigations & Response
 Matthew Haynam – Deputy Chief & Angela Hearts-Glass – Deputy Chief
October 24, 2023
  • Use of Force
  • Video Release Policy and Analyzing Video
 Steffany Hreno – Director

Shannon Hayes – Director
November 1, 2023

*Virtual Session
  • Domestic Violence & Sexual Misconduct Investigations
  • Rules and Regulations
 Sharday Jackson – Deputy Chief

Shannon Hayes – Director
November 7, 2023
  • Witness Reliability – Standards of Proof, Legal Concepts Overview & Case Studies
  • 4th Amendment – Improper Search and Seizure
 Cynthia Erno – Senior Litigation Counsel

Angela Snell – Assistant General Counsel & Katarina Durcova – Chief Investigative Law Officer
November 14, 2023
  • COPA Summary Reports, Disciplinary Recommendations and Allegation Drafting – Post Closed at COPA: COPA’s Role in the Disciplinary Process – CPD Disciplinary Process
  • COPA’s Policy, Research and Analyses Division/How to Use COPA’s Data Dashboard
 Andrea Kersten – Chief Administrator

Justin Escamilla – Deputy Chief

 

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