Pursuant to 2-78-120 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, based on information obtained through COPA investigations or identified patterns or practices of misconduct, COPA may issue reports and advisories to the Chicago Police Department, the Chairman of the City Council Committee on Public Safety, and the Police Board recommending revisions to the Police Department’s policies, practices, collective bargaining agreements, programs and training in order to improve the accountability, effectiveness, integrity and transparency of the Police Department.

COPA may also submit correspondence to the Chicago Police Department highlighting operational, policy, or training concerns identified through disciplinary investigations requiring immediate attention, as well as feedback to enhance training and policy development efforts to advance the culture of policing and build public trust.

Unless specifically requested by COPA pursuant to 2-78-120, a response from the Department is not required.

Feedback on CPD Draft Traffic Stops Directive

Publication Date: 2025-08-02
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COPA reviewed CPD’s traffic stop directive, recommending clearer consent search protocols, bias-free practices, and enhanced documentation standards. Topics: Traffic stop; Directives: G03-08; G08-01; G01-01; G01-03; G01-09; G02-01; G02-04; G03-07; S02-08; S03-05; S03-14; S03-22; S04-14;

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Comprehensive Recommendations on CPD Prohibitions of Sexual Misconduct (G08-06)

Publication Date: 2024-09-10
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COPA issued updated recommendations on sexual misconduct prohibitions, emphasizing zero-tolerance language, reporting obligations, and supervisory accountability. Included CPD’s response and COPA’s assessment. Topics: Sexual misconduct; Directives: G08-06; G02-01; G02-03; G04-04; G09-01; S04-05; S04-20; G02-05; S02-06; S04-27;

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Recommendations on the Re-Hiring, Resignations, and Retirements of CPD Members

Publication Date: 2024-04-30
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COPA addressed CPD’s rehiring practices, urging stricter vetting, transparency, and accountability to prevent reinstatement of officers with problematic histories. Topics: Hiring; Reinstatement; Resignations; Data practices; Disciplinary history; Directives: G08-01-01; S08-01-07;

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COPA Preliminary Feedback on CPD’s Prohibitions of Sexual Misconduct Policy (G08-06)

Publication Date: 2023-09-29
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COPA provided preliminary feedback on CPD’s sexual misconduct policy (G08-06), noting gaps in addressing off-duty conduct, misuse of authority, and protections for vulnerable populations. Recommendations include expanding prohibitions to off-duty behavior, clarifying misuse of police power, integrating guidance on the approrpriate use of personal information, and strengthening safeguards for at-risk groups. COPA urged further review and public input to align with best practices. Topics: Sexual misconduct; Directives: G08-06;

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COPA Recommendations for CPD and CPS vetting and hiring of School Resource Officers

Publication Date: 2023-07-21
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COPA analyzed gaps in CPD and CPS’s process for vetting and monitoring School Resource Officers under an Intergovernmental Agreement. Issues include a lack of clarity about the process for requesting and sharing complaint data, unclear disciplinary standards, and a lack of proactive measures for open allegations. Recommendations called for clarifying COPA involvement, improved data sharing, NASRO-standard training, and oversight of secondary employment involving youth. CPS responded positively, expressing willingness to collaborate on improvements. Topics: School Resource Officers; Special populations; Youth and Children; Directives: S04-01-02;

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Feedback on CPD’s Use of Social Media Outlets (G09-01-06)

Publication Date: 2023-02-23
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COPA reviewed CPD’s Special Order on Sexual Misconduct Prohibitions, urging stronger language on off-duty conduct, supervisory responsibilities, and reporting obligations. Recommendations aimed to align policy with national best practices. Topics: Social Media; Directives: G09-01-06;

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Feedback on Constitutional Policing Training

Publication Date: 2022-03-03
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COPA provided feedback on CPD’s constitutional policing training, emphasizing Fourth Amendment compliance, bias-free policing, and procedural justice. Recommendations included scenario-based exercises and integration of investigative standards. Topics: Training; Constitutional Policing; Directives: G02-01;

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Feedback on Use of Force Training Curriculum

Publication Date: 2021-06-25
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COPA reviewed CPD’s Use of Force curriculum for 2022, noting opportunities to improve scenario-based learning, de-escalation emphasis, and integration of investigative standards. Recommendations included incorporating adult learning principles, continuous evaluation, and alignment with consent decree requirements. Topics: Training; Use of force; Directives: G08-05;

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Report on Non-Compliance with Body-Worn Camera Regulations

Publication Date: 2021-05-01
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COPA’s report on Body-Worn Camera compliance identified systemic failures in activation and retention practices. Recommendations included stricter enforcement, expanded training, and technological upgrades to ensure transparency and accountability. Topics: Body-worn cameras; BWC; Directives: S03-14; S03-05; G02-03; S03-04; S04-19;

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Feedback on 2022 Training Plan

Publication Date: 2021-03-24
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COPA offered recommendations for CPD’s 2022 Training Plan, focusing on improving objectivity in handling incidents involving off-duty officers, addressing invasive searches under the Fourth Amendment, and integrating body-worn camera use into training. Additional suggestions included reinforcing after-action review standards and using problem-based learning to enhance comprehension. Topics: Training; Directives: NA

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Feedback on Revised Search Warrant Policy

Publication Date: 2021-03-24
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COPA provided feedback on CPD’s revised search warrant policy, identifying gaps in clarity, risk assessment, training, and accountability. Recommendations include reorganizing the directive, requiring written risk assessments, improving oversight of affiant officers, and defining knock-and-announce standards. Called for enhanced de-escalation practices, robust recordkeeping, expanded after-action reviews, and consideration of a dedicated search warrant unit. Topics: Search Warrants; Directives: S04-19;

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Feedback on 4th Amendment Training

Publication Date: 2020-10-01
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COPA critiqued CPD’s Fourth Amendment training, recommending improvements in structure, content, and tone to ensure constitutional compliance and public trust. Topics: Search Warrants; 4th Amendment; Training; Directives: NA

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Body Worn Camera Issuance

Publication Date: 2020-08-11
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COPA expressed concern over lack of body-worn cameras for officers in the Community Safety Team following an officer-involved shooting. Emphasizes Illinois law and CPD policy mandate BWCs for officers engaged in law enforcement activities to promote transparency and public trust. Urged CPD to expedite full deployment and implement interim solutions for all units performing field duties. Topics: Body-worn cameras; Directives: S03-14;

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Advisory on George Floyd Protest

Publication Date: 2020-08-07
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COPA alerted CPD to systemic issues during 2020 protests, including documentation failures, inconsistent BWC use, excessive force, and officer wellness concerns. COPA urged immediate corrective action. Topics: Protests and Coordinated Multiple Arrests; Directives: S03-14

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Post-Firearm Discharge Drug and Alcohol Testing

Publication Date: 2019-09-30
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COPA identified failures to conduct mandatory drug/alcohol testing after OIS incidents. Recommends strict enforcement and policy revisions; CPD agreed on enforcement but declined to revise its collective bargaining agreement at the time. Topics: Drug use; Use of force; Directives: S04‐22‐04

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Interactions with TIGN Individuals

Publication Date: 2019-09-30
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COPA raised concerns about CPD’s treatment of TIGN individuals, citing derogatory language and invasive questions. Recommends policy revisions, advocacy collaboration, and comprehensive training; CPD reported it already implemented relevant updates to policy and training; COPA requested updated materials. Topics: Special populations; Transgender; Intersex; Gender; ; Directives: G02-01-03; S04‐22‐04

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Prescription Drug Use

Publication Date: 2019-05-15
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COPA highlighted lack of policy on prescription drug use by members, recommending disclosure requirements and fitness-for-duty evaluations. Topics: Drug use; Directives: E01-09

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Protective Pat Downs

Publication Date: 2019-03-11
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COPA advised CPD on protective pat downs during investigatory stops, arguing current policy violates Fourth Amendment standards. Recommended revisions to align with Terry v. Ohio; CPD disagrees. Topics: Pat-downs; search and seizure; investigatory stops; Directives: S04‐13‐09; S04-22-04

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Use of Force Training – CPD Response

Publication Date: 2018-04-12
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COPA identified gaps in CPD’s Use of Force training, recommending continuous evaluation, adult-learning training for instructors, and integration of COPA standards. CPD agreed to some recommendations but declined others. Topics: Training; Use of force; Directives: G03‐02‐01

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Body-Worn Cameras

Publication Date: 2018-03-20
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COPA addressed lack of BWCs for probationary officers, recommending issuance throughout training. CPD agreed. Topics: Body-worn cameras; Directives: NA

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Traffic Stops and Foot Pursuits

Publication Date: 2018-03-20
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COPA reviewed incident involving unsafe vehicle and foot pursuit, recommending traffic stop protocols and scenario-based training. Topics: Pursuits; Traffic and vehicles; Directives: NA

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Rendering First Aid: Policy, Training, and Equipment

Publication Date: 2018-01-19
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COPA’s report on first aid policy highlighted a lack of training and equipment for emergency medical care. Recommended mandatory LEMART training, provision of IFAKs, and clear directives requiring aid after use-of-force incidents. Topics: First Aid; Training; Directives: U06‐02‐23

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Report on CPD Use of Force Training

Publication Date: 2018-01-19
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COPA’s identified gaps in CPD’s Use of Force training, including lack of de-escalation emphasis and inadequate trainer preparation. Recommended scenario-based learning and transparency. Topics: Use of force; Directives: G03‐02‐01

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