Press Release

Community Commission Recommends That Inspector General Investigate Claims Against COPA

Date:

July 15, 2024

At a Special Meeting on July 15, 2024, Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability President Anthony Driver announced that the Commission had recently received complaints about the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), which the Commission oversees.

President Driver noted, “The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability has received information from multiple knowledgeable sources that raise serious concerns about the operation of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.” Driver said, “The information we have received concerns the quality and integrity of COPA’s investigations, the quality and integrity of COPA’s disciplinary recommendations, and retaliation against COPA employees who have raised concerns about COPA’s investigations and recommendations.”

The Commissioner then voted unanimously on a motion to “refer information the Commission has received to the Office of Inspector General and recommend to the Public Safety Inspector General that the office conduct audits and any other investigations and reviews that the facts suggest may be warranted related to the quality and integrity of COPA’s investigations, the quality and integrity of COPA’s disciplinary recommendations, and retaliation against COPA employees who raise concerns about COPA’s investigations and recommendations.”

Under the Commission’s ordinance, if the Commission recommends an Inspector General audit, the Public Safety Inspector General must respond to the Commission within ten business days. If the Inspector General conducts an inquiry, the Commission would receive a copy of the Inspector General’s final report and recommendations, and then based on the report and recommendations, the Commission can determine whether any further Commission action is appropriate.

Before the vote, Commissioner Kelly Presley stated, “We want to emphasize that this vote does not mean that the Commission is taking a position on the strength or accuracy of the information that has been brought to us. It is an acknowledgment that the allegations are serious and credible. And that the Commission doesn’t have the investigative tools to assess as well as is necessary whether the allegations are accurate. And that the information we received should be reviewed by the body that is in the best position and has the best tools and resources to assess the strength and accuracy of the information, and to make appropriate findings and recommendations.”

Commissioner Aaron Gottlieb added, “The community must have full confidence in the quality and integrity of COPA’s investigations. I fully support the role COPA plays as an independent, civilian body. I also believe that we are taking this step because we appreciate the hugely important role that COPA must play, and we are committed to COPA’s success. We believe that a fair and thorough investigation will help us understand if COPA is meeting its responsibilities or if steps must be taken to ensure that COPA succeeds in its mission. Our goal is for fair-minded people to be able to trust COPA’s effectiveness and integrity. And if an investigation reveals serious issues, we need a roadmap for what COPA needs to do to earn that trust.”

Following the vote, President Driver stated, “We urge everyone to do what we will do—wait for the response from the Inspector General about whether the IG will take up this investigation, and then withhold judgment until the Inspector General has completed its investigation and reported its findings.”