The Community Mediation Program (CMP) Pilot

CMP is an alternative dispute resolution model administered by the Civilian Office for Police Accountability (COPA), who holds authority to refer cases to mediation, established by ordinance and in compliance with the Consent Decree, which states,

“Mediation can be a valuable tool for expediting the resolution of complaints, building trust between community members and police and fostering mutual trust.”

COPA envisions mediation as a tool to bridge the communication gap and establish a better understanding and mutual respect between community members and the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

Eligibility: COPA staff will identify and review allegations of complaints to determine whether it is eligible and appropriate for mediation. Click here for more information.

What is Mediation: Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution model administered by the Civilian Office for Police Accountability (COPA). Click here for more information

Program Goals: CMP seeks to increase the efficiency, transparency, and public trust in the support of procedural and restorative justice within the City’s complaint resolution process. Click here for more information.

Become a Community-Police Mediator: COPA endeavors to ensure mediators have received 40-hours mediation skills training partnered with an additional 25 hours of specialized community-police mediator training. Click here for more information.

 

FAQs: Click here for frequently asked questions.

COPA screens for eligible complaints, notifies the parties if their case is eligible for mediation, and determines voluntary participation.  Mediations are held with the assistance of a neutral mediator, where parties discuss the alleged misconduct with the goal of increasing the efficiency for complaint resolution, transparency, and public trust.  The mediation process is centered on principles of procedural justice.

  • Cases are successfully mediated when parties have heard, clarified, and understood the issues and each other’s point of view.
  • “Good faith” participation is essential.
  • The cases are closed upon successful mediation.