COPA RELEASES 2022 SECOND QUARTER REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28, 2022

COPA RELEASES 2022 SECOND QUARTER REPORT 

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) recently published its Second Quarter Report which provides information concerning operations and summary statistical data on investigative work from April 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022.

“Police reform and specifically COPA’s progress is directly connected to the hard work and dedication of our community partners, public safety leaders, elected officials, and the work of COPA staff, who work tirelessly to promote accountability for the residents of Chicago; civilian and sworn.” said First Deputy Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM COPA’S 2022 Q2 REPORT

Q2 FIGURES – COPA continues to conclude investigations and engage the public through various community initiatives and the public release of materials. As a result, COPA:

• • Concluded 265 investigations in Q2 of 2022
    • 56 with findings
    • 209 without findings
  • Participated in 28 community events

VIDEO RELEASE AND TRANSPARENCY UNIT (VRTU)

• • Launched and became fully operational
  • Consists of (4) FOIA Officers, (1) Case Liaison, (1) Supervising Investigator and (1) Director of Investigations.
  • Responsible for the release of materials as stipulated in:
    • The City’s Video Release Policy
    • Mayoral Executive Order No. 2021-1
    • Freedom of Information Act Requests
  • In Q2 the unit:
    • Posted to COPA’s website 8 officer-involved shootings incidents, encompassing 91 transparency materials. This included 41 videos (BWC, third-party, and in-car camera), 26 audio recordings, and 24 reports (Tactical Response, Case Incidents and Arrest Reports)
    • Responded to over 100 FOIA Requests
    • Fulfilled 10 Executive Order requests.

DATA PORTAL

• • COPA published a new online data portal that includes information regarding allegations of misconduct. Information included in the new portal provides more information regarding complaints, allegations, demographics, and closed investigations. https://www.chicagocopa.org/data-cases/

CONSENT DECREE

• • IMR5 (Independent Monitor Report) found COPA to be in approximately 90 percent preliminary compliance. COPA remains on track to reach full compliance within the original timeline of five (5) years.

PRAD ADVISORY LETTERS

• • Implemented a policy governing Major Incident Response – Officer Involved Shooting or Officer-Involved Death

COPA ACADEMY

• • COPA Academy commenced in Q1 and concluded in Q2 2022. COPA’s graduation took place on April 15, 2022. Six recently hired investigators graduated from the academy.

DETAILED INVESTIGATIVE DATA

• • Intake – During Q2 2022, COPA received 1400 complaints and notifications of police misconduct. Of this total, 1030 fell outside COPA’s investigative jurisdiction and were referred to the Bureau of Internal Affairs (BIA).
  • District Levels – During Q2 2022, Police Districts 11, 8, 2, and 7 were among the highest as it relates to incidents that resulted in complaints and notifications under COPA’s jurisdiction.
  • Pending Investigations – COPA concluded Q2 2022 with 1,719 pending cases under investigation.
  • OIS – During Q2 2022, COPA received 8 notifications of officer-involved shootings: 4 fatal, 3 non-fatal injuries, and 1 non-contact.
  • Recommended Discipline – During Q2, COPA recommended 168 disciplinary charges on sustained allegations of misconduct which directly impact 57 CPD members. Of those, 2 members were recommended for separation and 50 for suspension.

The full report can be found on COPA’s website by visiting: https://www.chicagocopa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Q2-2022-COPA-Final-Report-1.pdf

 

Media Contact:

Jennifer Rottner – Director of News Affairs

Ph: 312-720-8560 / Email: jennifer.rottner@chicagocopa.org

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