FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2022
COPA CHIEF RESPONDS TO POLICE BOARD PRESIDENT GHIAN FOREMAN’S OPINIONIN OFFICER INVOVLED SHOOTING DEATH OF ADAM TOLEDO
Today, Chicago Police Board President Ghian Foreman announced his opinion regarding the fatal officer-involved shooting of Adam Toledo on March 29, 2021, near 2400 S. Sawyer Street. COPA concluded the investigation into the actions of the involved officers, including the use of deadly force, within 13 months of the incident.
“As I’ve said before, this is not about winning or losing, but about facts, evidence and testimony being presented before the full Police Board before a final decision is determined,” said COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten. “Impacted parties and the residents of the city of Chicago deserve to have all the facts and evidence presented in a full, public hearing and we believe this case is deserving of a full evidentiary hearing before the entire Police Board and a review of the rules governing this process is warranted.”
“Under the current one-member review process, a single member of the Police Board can determine consequential cases without any identifiable legal standard and a potentially limited review of the evidence. As a result, cases involving the loss of life or other issues important to the community can be decided based on that single member’s perception without the benefit of a full evidentiary hearing. My hope is we all understand the importance of having these issues presented fully in a neutral environment that provides due process for officers, procedural justice for impacted families, and transparency for the public. This is an opportunity for the City of Chicago to review this process.”
To read the full opinion presented by the Police Board, please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cpb/provdrs/police_discipline.html
The Final Summary Report (FSR) which summarizes our findings and recommendations for discipline, will be released and posted on our website as soon as the involved officers are served with remaining discipline by the Department.
As Chicago’s civilian police oversight agency, COPA is obligated to demonstrate our commitment to objectivity, integrity, transparency, and swift action when responding to misconduct.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Rottner – Director of News Affairs
Ph: 312-720-8560 / Email: jennifer.rottner@chicagocopa.org