COPA Set to Launch Public Training Program on Police Oversight, Bodyc…

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

The Chicago agency that investigates police misconduct is set to launch another public training program, which aims to give residents, law enforcement and other oversight agencies a better look into how it operates in the city’s accountability system.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) next week will launch its second People’s Academy — a six-week training course that’s open to the public and gives an in-depth look at some of the office’s operations, such as complaint investigations, body-worn camera video analysis and disciplinary recommendations.

“We clearly recognized at COPA that any investigative work — no matter how solid and how much thought and integrity goes into those outcomes — they don’t matter a whole lot if the community does not understand the process and understand who we are, what role we play in broader accountability,” COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten said.

“Instead of letting the…