FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2020
COPA INVESTIGATES COMPLAINTS RELATED TO PROTEST OF COLUMBUS STATUE IN GRANT PARK
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) has received numerous complaints alleging misconduct by Chicago Police Department members stemming from protests in Grant Park.
“Residents of this City have a right to exercise their First Amendment rights. Complaints of police misconduct of the Chicago Police Department that violate those rights or violate Department policy within our jurisdiction will be thoroughly investigated by our office,” said COPA Chief Administrator Sydney Roberts. “As the civilian led oversight body of the Chicago Police Department we take every complaint seriously, conduct our investigations with the utmost integrity and remain accountable to the residents of this City.”
COPA has opened preliminary investigations into the most egregious complaints filed and is currently reviewing widespread video shared via social media and will provide an update this evening.
As Chicago’s civilian police oversight agency COPA is committed to objectivity, integrity, transparency and swift action when responding to misconduct.
If you have experienced, witnessed or have information of an incident involving police misconduct, you can file a complaint via our website (chicagocopa.org/complaints), mail, or by phone on our hotline voicemail at 312-743-COPA (2672).
If a person has information regarding a protest related complaint, please email copa-info@chicagocopa.org. This information can include videos and photos of incidents witnessed or seen in media reports. Please be sure to add, if known, a date, time and location of the incident and your contact information. If you have questions about a pending case, please contact our Case Liaison at 312-746-0168 or my email at COPA-PublicAffairs@ChicagoCOPA.org.
Media Contact: Ephraim M. Eaddy – Public Information Officer (PIO)
Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) – (312) 746-3609