COPA Educates CPS Youth On The Importance Of Police Oversight And Accountability

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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

COPA Community Hours Returns To The Austin Neighborhood To Offer Services

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COPA COMMUNITY HOURS RETURNS TO THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD TO OFFER SERVICES
Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), COPA Community Hours will be returning to the Austin Public Library on Wednesday, June 13th from 12-8PM. Representatives from COPA will be available to answer questions and provide an overview of the agency.

COPA Community Hours launched on May 9, 2018. This community outreach effort hosted by the Chicago Public Library is being held throughout the summer at the Austin, South Shore and South Chicago libraries on various dates. The purpose of the satellite hours and locations is to allow residents to have more accessibility to COPA. During the full day of services investigators from COPA are available to receive complaints and compliments from members of the Chicago Police Department.

“I believe that it is important for COPA to be accessible to the residents and provide as many outreach programs as the agency can offer. The community needs more accurate information about our agency and learn how to file a complaint and our goal is to meet them where they are in their community,” said Chief Administrator Sydney Roberts.

To view a full schedule of COPA Community Hours visit www.chicagocopa.org

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

COPA Chief Sydney Roberts Provides Update on Police Officer Involved Shooting Near 47th and Prairie

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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.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability Will Offer COPA Community Hours hosted by select Chicago Public Library Locations to help residents connect to services

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Today, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the Chicago Public Library (CPL) announce COPA Community Hours. Through this partnership, COPA will host a full day of services at select CPL branches where investigators will receive complaints and compliments of Chicago Police Officers. In addition, representatives from COPA will be on-site to address questions and provide an overview of the agency.

COPA Celebrates the Third Training Class of Academy

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Today, Interim Chief Administrator Patricia Banks commemorated the graduation of 20 investigative and legal staff in a ceremony for the third installment Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) Academy at Malcolm X College.  COPA Academy is designed to provide employee-centered, skills-based preparedness training that will ensure all COPA staff members are committed to performance excellence and able to help COPA deliver on its mission.

COPA WEBSITE WINS 2017 VEGA DIGITAL AWARD

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COPA WEBSITE WINS 2017 VEGA DIGITAL AWARD COPA (Civilian Office of Police Accountability) website wins 2017 Vega Digital Award and comes in third place in User Interface design. The website …