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Chicago Police Board issues five rulings in COPA–CPD disagreement cases
Summary
At its June 18 meeting the Chicago Police Board issued written rulings in five COPA–CPD disagreement cases, implementing the superintendent's responses in three and accepting COPA recommendations in two, with written opinions to be posted online.
The Chicago Police Board on June 18 issued rulings in five disagreements between the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the Chicago Police Department over recommended discipline, formalizing how several officer misconduct recommendations will be handled.
Vice President Claudia Bado explained the board’s review role for disagreement cases, noting a randomly selected board member reviews COPA’s recommendation, the superintendent’s response and any additional investigative material before ruling. The board announced five decisions and said written opinions explaining each ruling will be posted on the board’s website.
Board member Andrea Safakus announced review 26R33, in which COPA had recommended a 1‑ to 29‑day unpaid suspension for Officer Jose Fernandez for alleged verbal abuse during a traffic stop. Safakus said she concluded “the superintendent met the burden of overcoming the chief administrator’s recommendation,” and the superintendent’s response will be implemented.
Board member Cynthia Velasquez announced review 26RR34, involving Officer Jonathan Cohen and a COPA recommendation of a five‑day unpaid suspension for alleged off‑duty conduct unbecoming an officer. Velasquez said she found “the superintendent met the burden,” and the superintendent’s response will be implemented.
By contrast, Board member Katherine Liss announced review 26RR36 concerning Officer Charles White, for whom COPA recommended a 45‑ to 60‑day unpaid suspension for striking a woman during an off‑duty domestic altercation. Liss said the superintendent “did not meet the burden of overcoming the chief administrator’s recommendation” and that COPA’s recommendation will be accepted.
Board member Arlette Porter announced review 26RR37 for Officer Lawrence Kilgore Wooden, in which COPA recommended up to a 30‑day unpaid suspension for alleged failure to de‑escalate and use of excessive force; Porter said she concluded the superintendent met the burden and the superintendent’s response will be implemented.
An additionally announced ruling, 26R35, concerned Officer Timothy Silva, for whom COPA recommended 15‑ to 30‑day unpaid suspension for alleged excessive force and displaying a firearm without justification. The announcing board member said the superintendent did not meet the burden and COPA’s recommendation will be deemed accepted.
The board said written opinions providing details and explanations for each ruling will be published at chicago.gov/policeboard.
The board’s actions were procedural rulings on COPA–CPD disagreements and do not themselves carry penalties beyond implementing the identified responses; any suspension periods referenced were COPA recommendations reflected in the briefing material.
