On Saturday July 14 2018 at approximately 6:25PM the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) was notified of an officer involved shooting at 2098 E. 71st Street.   Based on our preliminary investigation, we have learned a law enforcement officer discharged their weapon striking an individual. A weapon was recovered.   Investigators remain on scene and …

On Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at approximately 8:00PM the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) was notified of an officer involved shooting. Based on our initial investigation, we have learned that the officers were responding to a call of a man with a weapon. Upon arrival, officers encountered the civilian with the weapon, which lead …

COPA EDUCATES CPS YOUTH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) visited students on June 5, 2018 at Carver Military Academy High School who recently completed the Burge Reparation Curriculum. As a part of COPA’s community outreach effort to youth it makes presentations on the importance of police oversight and accountability.

Nearly 175 US History and Civic students in 10-12TH grade heard from members of the investigative, legal and public affairs team at COPA. The objective of the presentation focused on helping students understand: (1) The role of COPA and the importance of police oversight and accountability; (2) Understanding the concept of force as defined by CPD; (3) Improving youth positive interactions with law enforcement and COPA as an investigative agency; and (4) Discussing career paths.

“COPA is committed to engaging and educating our youth on police accountability and reducing incidents of police misconduct. I had the opportunity to attend a host of community meetings on police oversight throughout the city during my first month as chief administrator. As an agency we are committed to educating the public about our investigative practices and provide assurance of our commitment to investigating cases with integrity, timeliness and transparency,” said Chief Administrator Sydney Roberts.

In March of 2018, COPA visited Michele Clark Magnet High School on the west-side for three days and engaged 90 students. COPA plans to return to Carver Military Academy High School to teach the same expanded exercise.

To learn more about COPA visit www.chicagocopa.org

CONTACT:
Ephraim Eaddy
Ephraim.Eaddy@chicagocopa.org
312-746-3609

The following is an update to COPA’s investigation into last night’s officer involved shooting near 47th and Prairie.  

While on the scene COPA investigators reviewed police officer body worn camera video, interviewed several individuals and began canvassing the area for additional evidence and witnesses.  It is important to note we are investigating all aspects of this shooting including what precipitated the initial law enforcement engagement with the civilian.  Preliminary evidence shows there were 3 shots discharged from the officer’s firearm and a weapon was recovered on the scene. We will continue to gather additional forensic, medical and video evidence from all available sources.   We will release video evidence on our website within 60 days in accordance with our transparency policy and all applicable laws.

We are in the early stages of this investigation; more interviews and other investigative steps are necessary before a conclusion can be reached.  COPA is committed to conducting a full, thorough and objective investigation and we seek the community’s cooperation and patience to allow us to be guided by our principles of integrity, timeliness, independence, and transparency.

On June 6, 2018 at 8:53pm the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) was notified of an officer involved shooting. After arriving on the scene and beginning our investigation we were notified the civilian had deceased. We ask for patience from the community as we conduct a full and thorough investigation. Our investigators continue to …