FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2022
COPA RELEASES SUMMARY REPORT AND FINDINGS REGARDING 2020 INCIDENT AT BRICKYARD MALL AND NORTH AVENUE BEACH INVOLVING MS. NIKKITA BROWN
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) posted its Summary Report of Investigation (SRI) which details COPA’s findings and recommendations regarding the May 31, 2020, incident near Brickyard Mall in the Belmont Cragin community involving Ms. Mia Wright. COPA additionally posted its SRI regarding the August 28, 2021 incident on North Avenue Beach involving Ms. Nikkita Brown. Today’s postings are in accordance with city ordinance (municipal code 2-78-245).
The incident involving Ms. Mia Wright occurred when officers approached a vehicle at Brickyard Mall during the civil unrest that took place in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Officers engaged occupants in the vehicle and ordered everyone to exit. Officers began to break the windows of the vehicle with their batons and one officer forcibly grabbed Ms. Wright, a passenger in the vehicle, by the hair and forced her to the ground, resulting in injuries to her eye.
The incident involving Ms. Nikkita Brown occurred late last summer when a CPD officer approached Ms. Brown, requesting she leave the beach area, which was closed at the time. After a brief but rapidly escalating back and forth between the officer and Ms. Brown, the officer forcibly grabbed Ms. Brown and a physical altercation ensued. After a short altercation, Ms. Brown would ultimately be released and proceed to exit the area.
COPA worked in coordination with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) to ensure the release of the summary report did not interfere with charges and the pending criminal investigation into (former) Officer Dyker.
Both reports can be found on COPA’s website by visiting: https://www.chicagocopa.org/case-summaries/log2020-0002128/ and https://www.chicagocopa.org/case-summaries/log2021-0003402/.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Rottner – Director of News Affairs
Ph: 312-720-8560 / Email: jennifer.rottner@chicagocopa.org