Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)

Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is the City’s independent civilian investigative oversight agency with primary jurisdiction for specified types of police misconduct, including but not limited to improper use of force and search and seizure violations alleged against members of the Chicago Police Department. Its investigative jurisdiction is defined coordinately with that of CPD’s Bureau of Internal Affairs (BIA), which has primary investigative jurisdiction for all forms of alleged misconduct not within the ordinance-specified jurisdiction of COPA. COPA is responsible, as appropriate, for the presentation of findings of violations and corresponding disciplinary recommendations to the Superintendent.