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CPD reports declines in homicides and shootings; COPPA announces People's Academy and July complaint counts
Summary
Chief Novellas reported year-to-date drops in homicides (32%) and shootings (37%) and listed major summer events the department policed; COPPA interim chief Lakenya White reported 622 complaints in July (77 retained) and announced a six-week People's Academy beginning Sept. 23, 2025.
Chicago Police Department leadership told the Police Board on Aug. 21 that the department continued to staff large summer events and reported reductions in violent-crime metrics, while COPPA detailed July complaint activity and outreach programs.
Chief Novellas, speaking on behalf of Superintendent Larry Snelling, listed major events the department secured this summer — Lollapalooza, Fiesta del Sol, the Air and Water Show and Bud Billiken — and thanked officers who changed schedules to staff those events. "Thousands of residents and visitors were in attendance in these events, and our Chicago police officers were visible and present throughout each of these events, maintaining public safety," Novellas said.
He reported that year-to-date homicides are down 32%, shooting victims are down 37% and shooting incidents are down 37%. Novellas also said CPD has posted consent-decree related policies for public comment, giving dates for the comment periods and directing residents to the CPD transform website for input.
Interim chief administrator Lakenya White of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPPA) delivered July data: COPPA registered 622 complaints and notifications in July; 77 of those were retained by COPPA as falling under its jurisdiction. COPPA completed one video release relating to a fatal officer-involved shooting near 4300 West North Avenue and attended 26 community engagement events last month.
White announced session 5 of COPPA's People's Academy, a six-week condensed training beginning Sept. 23, 2025, running Tuesdays through Oct. 28, 2025, at Kidde and King College. She said the program is intended for the public (civilian or sworn) and organizations interested in civilian police oversight, investigative and legal concepts, and COPPA's policy, research and analysis work. White directed interested attendees to chicagocoppa.org for more information and said printed cards were available at the meeting.
