Chicago Oversight Panel Nominates COPA Interim Chief to Lead Agency

LaKenya White, a 27-year public servant, is nominated to permanently lead the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:07pm

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The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability in Chicago has nominated LaKenya White, the current interim chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), to permanently lead the agency that investigates police misconduct and officer-involved shootings. White has over 25 years of experience in police accountability work.

Why it matters

COPA plays a critical role in providing civilian oversight and accountability for the Chicago Police Department. The nomination of an experienced leader like LaKenya White signals the city's commitment to strengthening police-community relations and ensuring thorough investigations of alleged misconduct.

The details

The commission said it received 27 applications for the COPA chief administrator role, interviewed 5 candidates, and ultimately selected White as its nominee. White previously served as the director of investigations for intake at COPA, overseeing all incoming complaints about police misconduct, before being appointed interim chief last year. Her nomination now goes to the City Council Committee on Police and Fire for approval before a full council vote.

  • On Thursday, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability voted to nominate LaKenya White as the new COPA chief administrator.
  • White was appointed as the interim COPA chief administrator by Mayor Brandon Johnson last year.

The players

LaKenya White

A 27-year public servant who has worked in police accountability for 25 years, including roles at the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). She was nominated to permanently lead COPA as its chief administrator.

Brandon Johnson

The Mayor of Chicago who appointed LaKenya White as the interim COPA chief administrator last year.

Larry Snelling

The Chicago Police Superintendent who voiced support for LaKenya White's nomination to lead COPA.

Andrea Kersten

The previous COPA chief administrator who resigned following a conflict after a police shooting death in 2024.

Dexter Reed

An individual who was fatally shot by police in 2024, leading to a conflict that resulted in the previous COPA chief administrator's resignation.

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What they’re saying

“This is something I don't take lightly. I've been a public servant for the last 27 years, and 25 of them have been in police accountability. I love the work that I do. If they need me out there, I'm going to do the work. If I need to take an interview, if I need to knock on doors, you will see me.”

— LaKenya White, Interim COPA Chief Administrator

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco Resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

White's nomination now goes to the City Council Committee on Police and Fire. If approved by that committee, her nomination would go to the full city council for a vote.

The takeaway

The nomination of an experienced leader like LaKenya White to permanently head COPA demonstrates Chicago's commitment to strengthening police accountability and rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the community.