Happy holidays.
And yeah, yeah, yeah.
All right.
Burn very firm heating up this desk with my hand.
Call Ryan comedian police and fire has come to order before
we start I do want to read some rules of the committee
pursuant to the Chicago city council Rules of Order and
procedure route 49. The sergeant-at-arms sets forth the
following rules of conduct to be followed during the public
comment period and their duration of the committee and City
Council meetings propane vulgar threatening abusive a
descriptive language is not permitted the meaning
discriminatory and harassing behavior and speech directed
toward others is not permitted disruptive behavior
concluding disruptive and disrespectful conduct during
others presentation is not permitted banners flying flyers
or signage are not permitted backpacks large bag of sharp
objects are not permitted clear bags not tinted in color
that do not exceed 12 inch by 6 inch by 12 inch will be
permitted and are subject to search food and beverages
including in metal.
Sisters are not permitted cell phone must be placed on
silent ride. The Ender in the meeting room individuals must
remain seated public comment speakers are permitted to
stand only when providing public comment small handheld
devices may be used only while seated and then the user
must refrain from interfering with the view or hearing of
other interview individuals individuals or groups failing
to adhere to these rules will be asked to see such
disruptive comment and failure to comply.
Will result in their being subject to removal from the
proceedings or from the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms.
Good morning everyone and happy holidays to everyone who
now have a roll call to establish a quorum. Please note
that a yes vote will present vote May respond may be deemed
as a yes, but want to call him call his use for later items
to be call b j a b j Robinson not here Alderman Hall.
ottoman Mitchell
all the women lie
Alderman Curtis
call Mami Jeanette Taylor.
Alderman Mosley
older women to bars
autumn in Irving
Army Cardona
Autumn is Pizano
older women Nugent
Alderman Napolitano
how to make Newton present in Gardner
president being played
autumn in Irving
and alderwoman Silverstein
Alderman Mitchell
Did you see all the men Mitchell?
We do have a quorum pursuant to rule 4959 Alderman sposato
vice-chair Robinson and aldermen Gardner have each
requested to appear by remote means can I get a motion? So
moved by Alderman Nugent all those in favor? Say aye all
those opposed say nay in an opinion of the chair that eyes
have it all to miss pasado. Are you present vice-chair
Robinson? Are you present?
I am present and thank you. Thank you voice your Robinson
and Alderman Garden. Are you present as well present? Thank
you.
We do have one speaker sign up for public comment.
And I believe the speaker is Pete kaczenski if I
mispronounce your name, I apologize Peter you with us
today.
iSpy present
he is present. I am here. Okay. You'll have 3 minutes,
please. Go ahead and respond. Please go ahead and make it
public comment and thank you for joining me today. My name
is pizzas. n****. I live in the 45th Ward Once Upon a Time
one week ago this committee you was going to discuss
conducting a seat pdworkforce allocation study for Staffing
deployment and assignment decision the Civic Federation
observes that there are thirteen Point acpd sworn officers
for everyone non-sworn member in the CPD and that the
national average ratio based on 10247 Police Department
surveyed is 3.5 sworn to 19 form that our wedding is Alive
and Well in the CPD, especially considering CPD has a
16-member public relations unit and dozens of half officers
who were on the Brady list and can't testify in court.
From the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars expended
in PPT legal settlements with another 11 million dollars
just this month that officers in the streets folks in
certain neighborhoods and then Retreat to the sanctuary of
their relatively safe residential neighborhoods on the
northwest and Southwest side as well as Beverly in Mount
Greenwood Committee Member of the politano was quoted as
saying you have a lot of people here who work for the city
and when they come back home, they want you to be their
Sanctuary people are paying a lot to live in this
neighborhood exactly as it is and they don't necessarily
want to see it filled with multi-unit rental building
that's racist code talk referring to minority Phelps. It is
one of Anthony Napolitano was racist statements and it is
anti Public Safety of Chicago police officer can't
regularly mistreat citizens on the south and west side and
then Retreat to a sanctuary.
In the segregated Northwest side, it causes cognitive
dissonance and likely contributed contributes to officer
suicide the Chicago police officer from a local
psychologist. If you were a fly on the wall of my
Psychotherapy sessions, I've had with dozens of CPD over 20
years you'd hear stuff that would turn your mind inside out
every time they are routinely horrified that they can't
speak honestly about Piers behaviors and what really
prevent crime why because even appearing not
Being mental lockstep is perceived as betrayal consequently
their anxiety disorders depression somatic symptom ology
drinking domestic abuse, and suicide rates are off the
charts usually worse than most vets. So then everything
stays the same the ctdi budget gets bloated further at
Chicago and keep wondering why this La La Land approach
never works. The people on this committee are merely
nibbling around the edges of Public Safety and police when
addressing segregation is the meat and potatoes of City
Public Safety Reed City fragmented by the Chicago area fair
housing Alliance, and please do better. Thank you. Thank
you Pete for your public comment on we have no other public
speaker, so that ends the public comment period amitav. You
should have received on October 26th by email and December
4th by Amel Larrieux 45 reports for the meetings held on
October 13th, 2023 and December.
2023 are there any questions and comments regarding the
Route 45 report?
You're being old, Can I get a motion for the passage of the
root? 45 report by the front of the boat of all members
present. So moved by Alderman Irving all those in favor.
Say aye opposed say nay and opinion every two years. I've
have it we have one item before the committee today a 2023
Dash 5945, which is the appointment of Mr. Call Cooper as a
member of the Chicago police force. Are we doing today by
mr. Cooper and also joining us today is executive director.
I'm just running until we thank you both for being here
before we get started. I do want to recognize Alderman
Curtis is being present today as well as we have our
council members manal hoppenworth and aldermen woman Maria
had enjoying this day. You'll be marked as present. Thank
you for joining us as well.
ottoman guard is present
Autumn and Gardner, yes, I'm present. Okay, I'll we've
already moved all of my garden earlier to add you to the
role and now you have been added to the road. I mean one
make them listen to make a comment. Please raise your hand
or ask a question. Mr. Cooper. We like to begin by give you
an opportunity to open with questco opened with remarks.
Mr. Cooper. Thank you Sharon and take you to the rest of
the members of the committee. It's been a pleasure to
speak.
With those that I connected with in the past week and for
those who I wasn't able to connect with I look forward to
speaking with you in the future. Just like the first
introduce myself. My name is Kyle Cooper. I was born in
Lincoln Park Alderman Newton towards I live there for 14
years before I moved to the northwest suburbs where I
attended Loyola Academy. I'm a graduate of Colgate
University in the Boston University School of Law for the
past eight years. I've been a litigation attorney at
Tabitha bourdon Rothstein where I primarily handle
commercial litigation and some appellate were the last four
years. I've been a member or an appeals officer for the
Chicago Police board where I've handled appeal brought by
individuals who were taken off the eligibility list to
become police officers because of incidents that came up in
their background investigations in this role. I worked
closely with the police board one to hear the appeal.
Drop by these applicants would also a provided me with
unique insight into the operations of the board and ways in
which the board was looking to revive and in sort of
further the trust between the police department and the
general public that it serves. I've had a great working
relationship with the current members of the board
including the current president. Mr. Deion Foreman as well
as the vice president Paula wolf and it is that Spirit of
service and the marriage I think
Is my legal skills with an ability to help Foster the
relationship between the police and the general public that
I'm interested in serving on the police board and I look
forward to answering any questions that you may have today.
Thank you. Mr. Cooper have any questions and comment. We
have all the women Jeanette Taylor.
Thank you chairman.
Why do you crazy enough like you you just want to continue
on this road really got interested in figuring out a way
that I could give back in service and public service in
2020 during the George Floyd protests called the story with
my conversation with all the mentally ill before the
hearing the day. I was speaking with a friend of mine who
we do not share the same political perspectives on on a lot
of issues. But we agreed that there were problems and
issues in the city that weren't being addressed that needed
to be addressed and we had a candid conversation about what
we could offer in terms of our skills and abilities to help
address some of those problems and it was in that moment
that I first became familiarize with the ability to serve
as an appeals officer on the police board, and I found that
work both
rewarding from a subset of sand point where you know in
some instances you have appellants who should not be
members of the Chicago Police Department and I like to
think that I have a role in making sure that those
individuals do not become police officers, but there's also
individuals who I think could be benefits to their their
communities and become police officers, but because of
either childhood trauma our mistakes in their youth are
other sort of issues in their past that if you just check
the box, they wouldn't be eligible to become officers and
contribute to the community that they served and lived that
we give those people a chance to prove that they're worth
that they're worth it and that they can serve the community
and it until it's in that Spirit of service even in the
midst of what is, you know, immediately a very sort of
transformational. And in the police board, especially
considering what might happen tomorrow it is why you know,
I believe really strongly that this is something that
I would like to pursue going for.
I guess you trying to steal it away your way and Heaven.
What do you feel like will be your biggest challenge the
reality is that depending on what happens tomorrow? I think
will dictate in a lot of ways as to what the police word
might look like going for you. No, I didn't I didn't sign
up for this position Canary cases, but I recognize that
As of today that is a large part of what the police for does
but if that goes away either tomorrow or in the future,
there are still other things that I think the police more
has a rule in in doing and that is either rewriting the
rules of the police department, which I think it's time for
a revamp of that. So I think that's sort of a a and item
that regardless of what happens to police report can
pursue. I also think that it's in the police will play an
important role going forward handling the appeals of the
probationary police officers. So I think we're Godless of
what happens on Wednesday that there is still a strong role
to be played by the police board and I'm excited and
looking for the opportunity to participate in that process.
so I know Gyan personally and
not the funniest thing that ever happened with the most
ignorant thing that probably happened with the police board
president got beat up by the police. How would it how will
you handle this challenge sitting in the seat being a black
man?
I appreciate that question in as you mentioned that your
friends with with President foreman and over the last
several years. I've become friends with present form in as
well. And I think very highly of him and I think one of the
things that I've been able to take away from watching how
he runs the board and I think it's shared by the members of
the
What did I spoken with? Is that while people definitely
have their different perspectives on on either pro-police
or nature that the board really has operated and in a way
that I hope it continue to operate as a neutral for that
evaluates the cases that are brought for them based on the
evidence that is presented and do not bring any sort of
preconceived notions are political biases to those
decisions. So to answer your question older woman, I would
say that I would approach the position like I do my my law
career or even you know it in just in my family life is to
take the facts as they come into not prejudge and to make
decisions based on be able to set up for me. Thank you. Mr.
Care how you you going to go to heaven? We are noted for
the record that he has no grey hair right now.
Graeter's on my check Alderman Irving
On May 30th of this year.
Looking at the background looking at everything and why
question is this
Can you can you turn on the my call tomorrow? I'm sorry. I
thought the mic was on I thought the mics always on
earlier. I'm looking at your background looking at looking
at everything and
how do you say this song?
How do you how does your background in we deal with our
many issues that come before us is the council related back
to leasing in black and brown communities in our city.
How do you relate to all those who may come from Englewood
or will Garfield Park on giving your your background, you
know, primarily Linkin Park Bucktown and Loyola in the
light help me to understand that cuz the challenges that we
face in the department dealing with with those issues of
over policing in in the light on. How do you
Relate to that. Well, how would you look through that that
lands of of of you know, over-policing disenfranchisement
and dealing with that that's questionable a question number
two is can you give us an instance where you overruled
police Personnel or probationary on ppos question first, I
would say.
That I don't think it surprised anybody up here. I am an
African-American male. I think that no matter where you are
in the city. That is the first thing that someone would
would notice about me. And so I think from that perspective
I can just relate to serve people from the South Side in
the west side of city, but I also say you're my mom she is
she's very involved in actually is a the development person
for the premier Center for Women and Children.
Center has facilities on both the south and west side of
Chicago. I am actively involved in that organization and
spend a considerable amount of time in those communities
one primarily dealing with the the the mission of those of
that's that organization which is to help on house single
mothers with children, but going out to those communities
and interacting with the staff who are often they can be
bail members there and in younger people there and I have
friends who live in all parts of the city, even though I
did grow up in Lincoln Park and do live in Bucktown. It's
not that as if I'm your siloed in those locations. I
actually it's an important part of who I am and that's
something my parents always instilled on me is that it's
important to you. No one recognized who I am which is an
African-American male into not to sort of peace. I load
into any one thing at one place until I spent considerable
amount of time in those communities that
over-policed and so I think I might bring a a perspective
of familiarity there. But I also think I bring a
generational perspective that's different than what you
currently see on the police for these days. You know, I'm
36 years old has a lot of the members are significantly
older. I think my generation has a different view on
policing then the views of a generation older than me so
that you know, it's one thing to read it on a piece of
paper, but I just want you to know that I'm more than just
what you see there.
I pride myself on one being involved in the community as a
whole lot just in certain places and I do have experiences
on both those South and West Side communities that do base
at least a large brunt of some of the problems that come
with over police seeing or racial profiling or things of
that nature. So that's that's the first answer your
question with respect to overruling the police board on a
probationary police officer positions just for full
disclosure. I will tell you that my role as an appellate
officer is to make recommendations to the police report. So
the way that those cases would come to me would be that
there was a decision by the department to remove an
applicant from the eligibility list do the results of
background investigation appeal will be filed and then
based on my evaluation of the record. I would make a
recommendation as to whether or not the decision to remove
that applicant should be affirmed or reversed. I will say
that there have been instances where the
I decided to remove potential police officers from the
eligibility list due to things like admitting that an
applicant smoke marijuana on a polygraph examination in
high school or admitting to Petty stopped when they were
minor are other instances are having a bad credit score
when they were younger but have set change it around in
those instances. I've taken a holistic approach to say that
this person is not just who they were at 16 or 17 or 18
years old, but it's important to look at what they've done
since those instances where the police department may have
thought board to the removal from the eligibility of us and
have recommended that their removal be overturned and not
approved by by the police department and I am happy to say
that in in many if not all those instances. My
recommendations have been accepted.
Taking care of and everything. I just have one question in
and I really based off of what you said a few seconds ago.
You are younger generation. I've been those that are
currently sitting on the board. And I know that there has
been for the last several years a generational thought on
policing and whether it's a any clues different type of
support for police or whether we should have a police
department at all aboard the defunding the police so I I
would like to know what your thought.
Star when it comes to public opinion and deciding cases
before the police board.
Public opinion that time to be very loud and I want to know
can you appear before us in an envious Manner and how do
you include or if you include public opinion into your
decision-making for the question chairman speaking
personally for for myself public opinion while is not
something that you can it can be ignored what I have seen
and what I would hope to emulate at least for myself on the
police board is an objective fat based approach it again,
this is all assuming that the police board is still
responsible for handling disciplinary cases. We could take
each case as it comes based on the facts of the case in the
facts of the case alone without prejudging or pre deciding
and outcome. I think that as an attorney, you know, I'm I'm
really sensitive to that approach to decision-making. It's
one that I see all the time when I represent clients in
court.
I would hope that the judge is that I appear before I take
that objective unbiased approach to deciding the cases that
I bring before the court and I would take that same
approach to evaluating cases again, assuming that the
police were still has the disciplinary cases to not making
any predetermined decisions are the conversation at the
board of the whole based on what public opinion is. And you
know, I think one of the things that I believe that I would
be a good asset to the board is I the public opinion is not
something that I think would influence me when it came time
to evaluating the facts of a case because I think I can put
on that analytical lawyer at in in deciding those issues.
So that. That's that's my answer for that German go to
Alderman Curtis.
My question is basically.
When appointed or its appointed to this board or will you
be taking on the same roles that you were currently in
appeals? I don't know I would not.
So when you talk about and just described to me over
policing you said that a couple times I got contact Eliza
in the context of sort of the communities. I've grown up in
and and currently live, you know, sometimes I go to the
South and West Side you see police officer police officer
police officer and you don't see those same levels of
policing in Lincoln Park or Bucktown. That's what I mean
when when I think of of over policing and also if you know
why I don't think it's it's an anecdotal story, but I don't
think it's one that surprise you you see individual get
away with certain things in certain neighborhoods that you
don't often are we don't see another neighborhood and so
when I when I think I'm over policing I I think of sort of
inequitable or disproportionate enforcement of the law or
Laws presence in certain neighborhoods versus other
neighborhoods is how I would describe it.
Okay, so I am so you would.
And I hate to ask that question.
So
being from Linkin Park and then someone applying that's
been in the community that you would consider over policing
and let's say they got in trouble doing that probationary.
I just got a handling of a situation.
With that clouds your judgment at all being from the
different neighborhood and them handling a situation
different would depend largely on the facts of the case as
I previously testified. My Approach in my protein would be
if I was to be approved for the board would be to take all
the facts of giving Case by itself. So I think there could
be a variety of factors in that situation that you
described that may impact the way I think about that
specific situation one way or the other so it would be hard
for me in the hypothetical that you just described for me
to give you a definitive answer without seeing me in a
little bit more details.
I thank God each are also recognized by a mere Burnett
would date appear.
All the Mormon I have been worth. Did you have any
questions?
Hi, thank you for being here.
I was at the community commission for Public Safety event
yesterday Truman College and it was great. We got to hear
from Copa and also the superintendent and including your
soon-to-be predecessor on the board and you know, one of
the questions they asked was how will you help to create a
better, you know, whatever you do in your organization and
thank you for being here and answering questions. How how
will you make the police board better and is now I
appreciate the questions. I have a couple ideas has been
very helpful. I've had conversations with president for men
and vice president. Like I said about what the day after
tomorrow might look like and I think to the extent that the
board is still here in disciplinary cases. I think that
There is ways that we can sort of not only increased
transparency because I think the board already does a great
job of that. I think if you looked at the board's website
right now, you can find the opinions. You can find the
charge and I think in terms of government sites that I've
seen I think it does a good job of putting information out
to the public. I think one of the things that I've realized
in terms of interfacing with the board and it just getting
familiar with things is a lot of people don't know that
that information is out there. And so I think that there
could be a sort of increase awareness brought to not only
the board's decisions, but just the general nature of the
board's work at the whole. I know that the board has
monthly meetings. I know that they'll continue to have that
and I know that those meetings are open to the public and
there's great speak speakers that are brought to each of
those meeting and I think that by sort of inviting a
broader set of speakers, but also raising War General
weirdness that these things are actually taking place I
think can help sort of increase the level of interaction.
Discourse between the general public and the police sports
about is one of those things that if the police board
continues to hear disciplinary cases that I would be
focused on if that is no longer the case. I think I
previously mentioned one of the things that the police
board is authorized to do Under the municipal code is to
write the rules of the police department. I don't think
that that process has undergone any significant Innovations
in a very long time. I think it's probably time.
That happens and I think if that does happen, it won't
require great amount of community involvement from both of
general public but also from law enforcement as well. And
so that is it you do again if if that is what the wall of
the board might be going forward that is another area where
I would I would hope to sort of make my mark on the floor
if you want. That's that's great to hear. I was hopeful as
I was about many of the things that folks were talking
about on stage yesterday. It was a little bit perplexed.
When one of the Commissioners who was the lawyer also said
that she's been doing this for a very long time, but she
said if it's in terms of accountability and what people do
or Public Safety related to the police, there are so many
different arms.
And I think what you're talkin about is is also a little
bit confusing to me too. I'm not sure. Can you explain how
you work with?
Price of copper how would you work with other entities and
in Copa and the superintendent's office? I think those
meetings should continue to occur. Now that we have ccpsa
in the mix. I think they should be invited to the meeting
because it's as you talked about there is all these layers
of accountability, but I think in some ways right the more
hands you have in the in the kitchen, it's harder to tell
who's responsible for what dish and so I let you know one
of the things that I would be hoping to implement if I was
approved for this position would be to have clearly defines
would have layers and in areas of responsibility so that it
would be clear from for the general public as right. This
is copas responsibility. This is the police department's
responsibility. This is CeCe psa's responsibility. So I
would continue what I think is.
Is it good levels of communication, but I would increase
those so that there is more clarity around.
Thank you. I appreciate that. You know in a in a Ideal
World we would have so many applicants to and people who
want to be police and I would love to fill those positions
with people who want to do the work who are qualified and
who are ready like you ready to step in but also it would
be really helpful to understand the rules.
Was it a try tonight? I guess I could bring it back to as
my role as an appeals officer. I think one of the things
that I found most rewarding about it is I talked about
there were it seemed to me a large number of applicants who
because of the letter of the rules were removing the
eligibility list, you know, you're talkin people who grew
up in communities that they wanted to serve as police
officers for what I think is a great idea. They understand
the Dynamics at play you no more so than and then maybe
other members but because of you I will call them to
violations or things of that nature were prevented from
from being considered for that role. And so I was proud
that during my time as an appeals officer. I think the
board has an understanding of that that we need to evaluate
candidates to the police department holistically rather
than dinging people who want to serve I think everybody I
think I was important to me until
That was one of the ways that I found rewarding about my
rolls in a field officer was allowing people who might not
otherwise get to become police officers to become police
officers and we have you know, several members are on the
city council that have served in a policeman fired.
Fantastic Role Models. Do we want open up that door? And at
the same time we want all of our public servants to be
safe. And I think that having rules that are really clear
so that they know what they're walking into would be super
helpful. So thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. All the
woman IHOP in work will start with our firemen now with all
them. It's pizzato Then followed by Alderman Napolitano
because sposato does have seniority. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for allowing still a little scratches. Hope you
guys can hear me. All right.
Okay. Yeah, we can hear you all the way thanks for thanks
for stepping up to take this and you did say something that
I just I don't think it's going to be I know you're talking
about. Well, there's a few people in front of you. So for
example, and this is fact some of you might call me out on
this, but this is back the 6th.
District is 28 a square miles of 190 police officers at the
15th district is 3 1/2 square miles in 256 square mile and
16 + 66 and every square mile in a 50. So I will look
forward to any help you could give us if it's 68 in the
northwest side and unless on the Southside in the west
side. So I look look forward to your help with that
afforded bucking go offline and appreciate it. I'll let you
know and I will have my support. Thank you Karen that
you're all the mess was Otto Altima Napolitano.
Megan Sherman
My guy is thinking the same way. I am so kind as to
question already. I really give you a lot of credit for
taking on this position. My question. I'm the same lines as
is uldaman sposato it when you're talking about in this
position being able to kind of rewrite the way things are
done the way the police sings down in the way. The rules
are for places. I think that's be something great to see
you maybe take advantage of it may be working for two
different direction for policing like all the Mitzvahs Otto
said there are a lot of officers that don't feel that we
have any policing where we left and you kind of mentioned
it over please sing other Aries 9 and we're told you going
to that this is all depicted by compstat. So if there's a
way that we can come up with
The better policing direction or schedule on how how how to
or where to send police officers were they seem like
they're being over please to whether or not I would love to
see you for J&M be a part of that because I've been here
nine years now and I've been begging and begging and
begging for more police officers in our neighborhood. I
know my surrounding Border Collies have been doing the same
thing. I even seen it as when I was a police officer to the
minimal amount of officers up in the northwest side and you
have knowledge of that and you've just said you see that so
anyway that we can help with that too. And it may be kind
of changes the way that it's going to be gone. If it's just
my numbers or by statistics and you know where people just
want to feel safe and feel more but more police that died
love to help with that so I know and I appreciate that, I
share those sentiments and
I do think if it's the police board does go down this road
of rewriting the rules for the police department. I think
it'll be invaluable to have inside from the law enforcement
Community to really try to take a holistic. Look at how we
can update a modernized department in Chicago for 2023. If
not for when they were written 30-40 years ago. I think
it's also time to restart remapping the districts as well.
Maybe I'm equally equaling the sizes of them would be a
great start as well. I appreciate taking a shower before
she
Question to ask her as well. Good luck and Godspeed and
what are we to do to help you? Please? Let us know. Thank
you German.
Did y'all terminate Positano other women Nugent followed by
all the womanly all the women music?
I think I might know okay, I think you chairman and thank
you, for being with us. I just I had the privilege of being
able to chat with you at length of a couple days ago and I
was just really impressed with the breadth and depth of our
our conversation. And today I was really impressed that you
always took the conversations in the questions back to
objectivity. We're both liars and I think that objectivity
is the most important thing that we have and we have to
look at each case separately and independently and so I was
very grateful that you kept going back to that today with
respect to whether or not there would be a bias and how
would you look at things and I think it's critically
important as we look at candidates that are going to be on
the police board that we maintain that objectivity. And so
I appreciate your responses today, and I appreciate you
stepping up and you have my support. So thank you. I
appreciate it already.
I just want to share that I had a similar sentiment of her
phone calls while I I found it very very helpful. Very
interesting and I look forward to working with you.
Thank you. I'm all the woman do to other women lie. Thank
you. Mr. Chairman, and I had a great conversation with you
just seems like you know two hours ago was it two hours
ago? I really appreciated the opportunity to have a
personal conversation with you in advance of this hearing
one of the things that I didn't get to ask you though.
They'll ask you here. Hopefully doesn't put you on the spot
too much as we're talking about just police reform. I know
that my colleagues have talked about you know, where where
some communities fell over Feliz others feel like I don't
have enough I happen to live in one of those Chinatown has
in 2022. I beat 914 had the highest number of robberies in
the entire city of Chicago and it is a place where my
constituents are constantly asking where are the police
going to have enough police. So I think that there's a
there's a balance that has to be struck there. It's not
necessarily where people want more but like objectively,
where do we where do we need more resources? And how do we
allocate? That's all I go to call for?
Imbalance are around that but recently has been driver was
quoted in the paper talking about Chase policy last week
week before maybe 10 days ago. There was a robbery string
of robberies one of which occurred about three blocks from
my word office. And thankfully the the the perpetrators
were caught.
Actually kids for the State Police as well as the Chicago
police on duty at the time were able to coordinate and I
think the stars align for them to do that, but we very
seldom lie, I think is older people get to talk to our
constituents about a success in terms of apprehension of
some of these steps free robbers. If you will your thoughts
on just Chase policy in like the the contacts with which we
need to think about how we make modifications to that
because they're you know, if I was just really struck that
President driver made the statement and you know tributed
the fact that we've had 25% increase in robberies to the
fact that we don't have a good Chase policy that one police
aren't able to chase. So I appreciate those this, you know,
I enjoyed our conversation as well the chase policy
question. I think I have to can at least stay sitting here
right now before you I don't have enough information one
way or the other to give you a definitive answer.
As to this is what I think it is policy should be I do
think you know a Korean my comments with older men
Napolitano. I think that that is something if the police
board is going to move forward and revamp the rules for the
police department is a critical important policy that will
require the input of not of law enforcement, you know, as
well as the communities in which it serves because there is
so many knock-on effects write you if you have a policy
where you can't change
Easton and something happened. Are you have a policy we can
chase and something happens? There's there's I've seen
arguments pro and con. I don't want to get over my skiis as
ice too. Sure before you all I will say is that if the
board does go down the road where our primary purpose is to
revamp the rules that that's something that I would welcome
a variety of inputs on so that we can arrive at a policy
that makes sense not just for the police, but they also the
community that they serve because I think there is a common
sense approach here that you know, you said your
constituents were happy to hear that the suspects were
apprehended and you don't hear that that success story that
often and so I think there's probably lessons to be learned
from what took place. That would be hopefully worked into
any eventual policy that is that is rewriting. So I
apologize if I give you a straight answer.
Supreme Court, sort of you know hearing your not going to
answer the question directly. I'm just kidding. I
appreciate appreciate the Candor and the miners were
sitting here talking. These are all issues that I think
you're going to be very well positioned to to take on and
as I mentioned to her that you've got my full support to
look forward to working with you. Thank you.
That you're all the womanly are there any questions or
comments? Alderman?
Thank you, Tim Curtis.
Mr. Cooper listening to the questions in your responses has
the more you talk the more questions I had and I'm forcing
you and I haven't had an opportunity to talk before this
day and I'm requesting an advance an opportunity to talk to
you after this.
imma, go backwards from
I want to touch him with what your response was to the to
the no chase your response was you don't have any one way
or the other earlier you can you mention that your
experience will involve me working in these communities.
You gain some form of insight? Well, I'm familiar with all
the communities and from being in those communities. I
would have insight to answer that question. So that gives
me pause looking at your resume you are standing I'm proud
of you look good. If I needed you to represent me some some
contract disputes with some financial matters you my guy. I
need to determine if you bring the type of insight to the
reality. That is Chicago.
We mentioned.
Over policing and under policing. I represent South Shore
South Chicago payment Isis out there and I'm under police
and over please.
the beat but I need to I want to be able to have somebody
and understand the context of that the over policing the
under policing is not just we don't have enough officers,
but I got the type of issues that exist in my community
that takes a delivered and more focused approach to science
to satisfy in current legislation current protocols does
not lend itself well to addressing these issues that have
come up over the last 10 20 years in the neighborhood that
I've been in there 53
I'm not I need you if you can and once again, I tried I
asked that we talk between you and I to give me your
feedback from
a reality standpoint and not an interpretation of laws or
you being this Dynamic lawyer that you appear to be in in
and out. So here's here's what I need to respond to.
Going in line with German ervin's initial questions about,
you know, basically being to to relate to the things that's
going on in our communities providing. This is not
necessary to me as you grew up in.
And didn't you mention you know, I can work with some
organizations elaborate on that. What what have you done
with these organizations that tells me that you do
understand what's going on in Inglewood that you do
understand that maybe going on in and I hate to say it. One
of my communities has the moniker of Tara time, then they
been inside that Monica's sister 71. Jeff Ford was running
running rampant over there. So I need I need you to
understand that you actually can not just apply from a
legal standpoint. But to kind of be able to resonate what's
going on in these communities appreciate the question and
in the inside of the men and of course, I'd be happy to
have a further conversation with you after after the
hearing, you know, right? There's there's a couple ways to
be involved in community. You can you can show up and you
can give do whatever the the community service task is for
the day and if you go home and you can
Check it off on the box and say I volunteer here or I'm a
board member there and they're people who do that to your
point. You don't get insight into what's actually going on
in the lives of people who live in those communities when
you're there for a weekend or a couple days. I should have
been more clear about my involvement in the organizations
that at that I describe the Piedmont Center for Women and
Children. It is a like I said, my mom is the executive
director there and I'm on the junior board there and my
involvement is not just showing up for a weekend but it's
having long-lasting relationships with the women who the
shelter provide services for and in establishing these
relationships. It is listening to their stories
understanding who they are as people how they got to where
they are and often times and very difficult circumstances
all the women in the center is now open in two men. But if
the pro
their mission was women who had to leave abusive
relationships with children and the children range from
newborns and infants to two teenagers in high school and
its having conversations with these families for sustained.
Not weeks or days but months in years is provided me with
Insight that I wasn't able to get because I didn't live in
those communities, but it's not
Justice relationship with those women I have family friends
who live in the south and west sides of Chicago I go visit
them on holidays Inn in family visits and things of that
nature. So just because I'm not from these communities. I
don't feel as if I'm alienated from them. When I go there
everybody kind of has the same hopes and dreams and
aspirations but has different challenges as to how they
can't order to achieve those and all I say is
based on my lifelong experience in this city and not being
confined to either Lincoln Park or Bucktown or Loyola if I
have not that I've lived there but understand some of the
issues and challenges that those people face that I
realized that I didn't face growing up and why those things
are challenges so I'm happy to have that conversation no
more. Conversation with you after the hearing but I do
think it's important for me to convey to you that what you
just see on that piece of paper doesn't tell you the whole
story in terms of sort of my knowledge and insight and
familiarity and comfort with the types of people in the
communities that you're talking about.
A question for you. So I want you to give me your feedback
with your response on the statements that.
I believe in law enforcement officers believe that their
handcuffed. What are your thoughts on that?
the statement that you believe that law enforcement
officers believe it comes to
and if you can't give me an example of why you if you do
feel they are give me a cup while you think I think the
community that are over police then at the same time under
police.
I I think I ordered a really answer that question. I would
have to know exactly what in what instances are you making
a statement are they handcuffed? Because there's a Chase
policy that prevents them from doing certain things are
they handcuffed because there's not enough they're working
overtime. I under I I think there's a
I think the answer to that is very complicated. Right and I
think it's it would be a disservice to try to give you a
black and white answer right here. But I do think it would
be great if we could have a further conversation to talk
about it and I think it goes to one of the things that were
talking about. If the police were role is going to be
rewriting the rules of the police department. These are
sort of the nuance.
Conversation that we need to talk about in terms of okay,
how do we establish a Chase policy it you know, what does
that look like until I appreciate that? I'm not giving you
a yes or no on this but I just really do appreciate that.
There's do want to hear that. I think this merits further
conversation on them. I'm glad you just brought up again
the if if we go down that road and that's one of the things
I'm looking for somebody that can actually be a part of the
conversation to be involved in that process that
understands the neighborhood and the nuances in it and then
it'll be a very interesting and specifics of our about you
mention to the other woman was that one of the things I see
going for it is, you know the place where has his monthly
meeting for the invite speakers to come in if this process
were to take place where we are rewriting the rules it is
going to require a ton of community input and involved.
And it's all the way I envisioned. This is not a top-down.
We're going to have law enforcement come in or where are
the police boards just going to rewrite these rules without
listening to the people in your ward as to what day would
think or feel about certain of these policies? I do think
that is going to require a level 2 in the involvement
that's going to require people to know what's going on and
just show up to participate because if that doesn't happen
then their voices don't get hurt, but I do think that's an
essential part of rewriting the
Pools in a way that makes sense for everybody. And so I just
wanted to put that out there well once again
I need a lawyer for Contra how you my guy cuz I think
you're a sharp guy. I I look forward to having more
conversation cuz this I go on for hours say thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Curtis.
Thanks. I love something that I'll say about.
Everyone hands when you're baking a cake everyone Handles
in the batter and you don't know what's going to happen. So
as as chair of with all the account of arms of
accountability that we have in place. Is it a way that we
could get through the chair with all the entities that we
have of accountability.
We need to know when their accountability initiate so
everyone had is not in the batter at all the time because I
do believe Sometimes some of those entities overstepped
their boundaries, but we need to know that I would counsel
when each entity goes and play you understand ugly. Do I
get off? I can provide you that. And I'll drive that much
if I I understand when they when they do.
Go to What entity handles what issues? So I'll I'll provide
it to you. Thank you and and our last hand raised again,
it's all the women are happy.
You know somebody who was born on the southside of Chicago.
I appreciate Alderman Mitchell's comments and thank you for
saying that. No, it shouldn't matter where you live in
Chicago. The rules should apply everywhere and we should
feel safe no matter where we are. But I also appreciate it.
I'll do women Newton's comment about objectivity. I know a
lot of things are nuanced but in terms of what you will do
and what you will need to do. Can you comment on how
technology how you are leaning on technology to do your job
or is technology used phone? I would think that it would be
a question. I will candidly admit because I'm not on the
board. Now my knowledge of what the board is doing
technology-wise is very second hand I can say I was
It appeals officer during the pandemic and obviously that
created a a new set of circumstances for how the board one
met and how we interacted with each other until I can just
speak from my personal experience was that I felt that the
board was appropriately using technology to make sure that
the cases that were brought before it we're being held in a
herd in a timely matter. I knew that in a largely thanks to
the credit from from acts that everybody was kept up to
speed in the loop. That's what was going on. And there was
no obstacles to meeting so I can't really speak as today
what that technology SodaStream looks like, but I should I
should I be confirmed I'd be happy to come back or have a
conversation with you and it did to talk more about it. I
can just tell you personally again, it's a maybe a
generational thing.
Very comfortable with technology. I think it could
streamline a lot of things and in government and I think
it's something that I know that I would be looking forward
to implement in a cost-effective way. Should my nomination
become absolutely and find ways to be more efficient and
effective with data-driven. But also how you make
decisions. I think of many times you're leaning on
technology to help you make those decisions. Yes, like body
cameras and that kind of thing.
Turn on the board, but I know that when the board has
considered cases, especially the last couple years that
body cameras have been an enormous sort of piece of the
evidence that's presented before the board in terms of the
record in terms of making a decision. And so yes, I would I
would agree with everything you're saying that technology
has a important role in making things more efficient, but
also can it be more transparent? Right? You know, it's and
I think you when you talk about sort of live streaming
things that allows people who might not otherwise be able
to physically participate now participate. So I think
that's one instance where technology can be helpful. I
think body cams is another area where we seen a dramatic
impact as to how cases that may have otherwise just been
decided based on a paper record have to take on a new life
in immediately.
Thank you so much. Thank you, sir. I appreciate your
comments.
Okay there being no further hands raised. Can I get a
message on the passage of the appointment of Kyle Cooper to
the police board? So moved by all the womanly all of those
in favor?
all those opposed
adjust to all right, I'll do nothing and opinion of the
chairs eyes have it on this item will be reported out on
the next meeting of the city council December 13th.
Congratulation. Mr. Cooper there be no further hands raised
Max. Thank you for joining us in presenting your mr. Cooper
for presenting yourself today. Can I get a motion to
adjourn? So move out, never been all those in favor? Say
aye all those opposed say nay and opinion every chairs eyes
have it. This meeting is now adjourned.