In July 2021, City Council passed an ordinance creating a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. It creates two bodies: a citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, with power to advance systemic reform, and District Councils.

More information on the Commission can be found here: chicago.gov/city/en/depts/….

The first meeting held by the Commission was in September, as detailed in the Reader: chicagoreader.com/news-politics/….

The Commission has unique powers, such as picking candidates for police administrators, right to take a vote of no confidence in a superintendent, chief administrator, or police board member, though their removal ultimately requires a two-thirds vote by the city council.

As of mid October, only two of the 14 staff positions at the Commission have been filled. They have a budget of $4.3M. I expect there to be an update on hiring in today’s meeting.

Around 25 people are in attendance, plus a panel of 8 speakers so far. Meeting to start shortly.

Anthony Driver, president, kicks off the meeting. Quorum met. Public comment period begins, 2 min allocated. https://t.co/w7gvqFAEnh

M. Rogers is the first commenter: He’s concerned about CPD staffing and deployment, especially net loss of officers. D. Butterworth is running for 16th district police council. V. Arreola is running for 24 the district council and applauds the work of the commission.

CPD budget and resource allocations committee, are tasked with reviewing the police budget and making comments. They met with Superintendent Brown and asked him questions.

The committee is working on a plan to follow up with the questions that were asked to CPD and will hold a series of public meetings on the highlights of the budget review report. Goal is to make progress before the next years city budget begins.

COD goal setting and performance assessment committee speaks next. Each year CPD is required to send the commission a set of goals for the following year.

Commissioner Nelles reads out the goals received December 1st: 1. Advance workforce diversity - recruit new officers with diverse backgrounds and life experiences that reflect the city. 2. Expand neighborhood policing initiative…

…3. Continually seek public input on department policy and steps to adhere to the consent decree. The commission will work with CPD to measure these goals and to share the progress towards those goals with the public.

Committee on policy review speaks next. Commissioner Terry speaks to how the ordinance that created the commission requires CPD to listen to the commission’s input on general orders.

Commissioner Gomez requests anybody that are noncitizens to apply to be part of the committee that’s meant to get input from noncitizens in the city.

Police board committee speaks about the process to fill three vacancies on the police board. They have responsibility to nominate people to the board which then the mayor must choose from. The committee expects a list to be sent the first weeks of the new year.

Police Board president G. Foreman speaks about the responsibilities of the Board and updates the commissioners on the consent decree. Quarterly they meet with COPA and Inspector General to give each other full perspective.

COPA Chief Administrator A. Kersten says she’s reluctant to share draft goals but understands that transparency is valuable.

COPA first goal is around hiring, reimagine how to approach hiring. Second goal around training: officer involved shooting trainings using other cities’ models to deliver it to chicago, writing training, interview technique training (e.g. trauma informed training)…

COPA people’s academy will be a couple hours a week for a few weeks will be available to the public so that residents can be present and learn/share what COPA can do.

Another goal of COPA is to expand mock investigations, know your rights campaigns at CPS.

Lastly the investigations case closures timeframe from start to end is two years, which the Chief Administrator admits is too long - there will be intentional choices to make the process more efficient, while doing it right.

Next order of business - draft bylaws will be posted on the commission website tomorrow. Comments will be taken until January 15th.

Formal statement about the CEIS (Criminal Enterprise Information System). Misidentification, racial profiling, immigration issues, and more were the difficulties in the predecessor and is expected with this one. Commission recommends it to not be adopted.

Thursday, Jan 26th will be the next meeting. Motion to adjourn at 7:38. Meeting ends. Thank you for reading. More coverage can be found on chicago.documenters.org.