Chicago has a need for clarity on the basics of handling complaints against the police. This need was apparent during the Chicago City Council process reviewing the nomination of Ms. Andrea Kersten to permanently head the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). COPA is the city’s civilian agency tasked with investigating most serious allegations of police misconduct. During the 21 January 2022 Public Safety Committee Hearing reviewing the Kersten nomination, Alderman Anthony Napolitano raised this issue. The alderman specifically noted that under Ms. Kersten, COPA has shown a pattern of overreach and non-proportionality. Ms. Kersten was then the acting head of the agency, and she was previously its Chief of Investigative Operations. This “Insight” posting is intended to provide clarity on the approach that should be utilized in the necessary work of investigating allegations of police misconduct. Such is essential to the larger objective of public safety. In handling complaints against police officers, those assigned to investigate must distinguish between error (even tragedy) and true misconduct. The process should also seek to advance five key pillars: truth, fairness, respect, improvement, and proportionality. Each of these five elements is essential to advancing the legitimacy within the process that simultaneously meets the needs of the community, department, and the officers. [Click the link below to read more.]
