Andrea Kersten, the chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), resigned on February 13. Her resignation came after learning that the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) was considering a vote that could have led to her removal. In her resignation letter, she strongly criticized CCPSA, calling their inquiry process unfair.
Background of the Conflict
On January 28, CCPSA informed Kersten that they were beginning a process that could result in her being removed. The commission had the authority to take a no-confidence vote after 30 days or upon receiving her response. If the commission had enough votes, the final decision would have been left to the City Council. Instead of waiting for the process to unfold, Kersten decided to step down and submitted an eight-page response challenging CCPSA’s actions.
Kersten’s Defense and Criticism of CCPSA
Kersten argued that CCPSA failed to provide sufficient evidence of gross misconduct or criminal behavior, which is required for removal. She claimed the commission denied her due process by not disclosing details about the allegations or the identities of the accusers. She accused CCPSA of lacking proper investigative procedures, stating that they:
- Did not conduct a thorough investigation into the accusations.
- Failed to interview key COPA leadership members.
- Did not verify the truthfulness of the claims.
Kersten questioned CCPSA’s impartiality and motives, suggesting the process was politically driven rather than based on facts. However, CCPSA President Anthony Driver dismissed her claims, stating that the investigation was fair and complete and that Kersten chose to resign rather than face the process.
Controversial Investigations Under Kersten’s Leadership
Some of the complaints against Kersten were related to highly controversial cases she handled, including:
- The Dexter Reed Case – Kersten questioned the police officers’ honesty regarding the deadly traffic stop of Dexter Reed. She suggested that the stop’s justification (a seatbelt violation) was unrealistic and that the officers involved should be temporarily removed from duty. CCPSA accused her of harming COPA’s credibility by making premature statements to the media.
- Unfounded Migrant Sex Abuse Case – CCPSA alleged that COPA mishandled an investigation into rumors about a police officer impregnating a migrant teenager. They accused Kersten’s leadership team of conducting “off-the-record” interviews and failing to properly document findings.
Additionally, CCPSA claimed that Kersten created a toxic work environment and did not do enough to investigate systemic misconduct within the police department.
Kersten’s Final Response
Kersten denied all accusations and redirected criticism toward CCPSA, arguing that they were resisting much-needed police reforms. She referenced the Laquan McDonald case, which led to a federal consent decree requiring greater police accountability. She claimed her efforts to enforce these mandates were being undermined by CCPSA.
Conclusion
Kersten’s resignation highlights ongoing tensions between Chicago’s police oversight agencies and raises concerns about political interference in accountability efforts. As CCPSA now searches for her replacement, the future direction of police oversight and reform in Chicago remains uncertain.
