# Committee on Police and Fire meeting, March 13, 2026

- When: Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 1:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Police and Fire](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/police-and-fire)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/1173376218
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1173376218.txt) (5,911 words, automatic captions)

## Meeting notes

> AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.

The Committee on Police and Fire considered two agenda items: the appointment of La Kenya White as Chief Administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the appointment of Chris Papayiannou to the Chicago Emergency Telephone Systems Board. Both appointments were approved by voice vote. The committee also approved the Rule 45 report and authorized remote participation for an absent alderperson.

Topics: COPA chief administrator appointment, Chicago Emergency Telephone Systems Board appointment, Rule 45 report approval, Remote participation under Rule 59

### Agenda items discussed

- [19:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1152) Appointment of La Kenya White as Chief Administrator of COPA: passed
- [46:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=2769) Appointment of Chris Papayiannou to the Chicago Emergency Telephone Systems Board: passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (alderperson): Moved a motion to allow Alderman Knitzan to appear remotely under Rule 59. ([14:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=898))
- [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (alderperson): Moved a motion to approve the Rule 45 report. ([18:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1139))
- [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (alderperson): Moved a motion to approve remote participation for Alderman Jason C. Ervin under Rule 59. ([25:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1554)); Moved a motion to approve the appointment of La Kenya White as COPA chief administrator. ([45:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=2729))
- [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (alderperson): Described his 25-year background in police oversight and his passion for the work. ([33:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=2012)); Explained his plan to improve COPA’s public perception and training for staff. ([33:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=2035)); Discussed the importance of public education about police accountability agencies. ([36:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=2177))
- [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (alderperson): Asked Director Gross how many applications were received for the COPA chief administrator search. ([30:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1824)); Inquired about the cost of the nationwide search and whether it involved a simple email blast. ([30:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1845))
- [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (chair): Suggested creating a youth advisory group and partnering with schools and colleges to engage young people with police accountability work. ([43:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=2587))
- [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (alderperson): Congratulated La Kenya White on her appointment and offered her availability for outreach and meetings. ([32:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1944))
- [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (other): Provided a personal biography, emphasizing her 25-year career in police oversight and her commitment to fairness and integrity. ([26:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1616)); Stated her goals to improve relationships between the community and police and to educate the public about COPA’s work. ([29:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049?t=1760))

## Documents

- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/d3000744-787e-4f3d-85cf-1c40e101d165.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/7f32e6f5-450f-f111-8406-001dd812d049.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/8ea9012f-7f9a-45fd-af14-05f84c99177e.pdf)

---
Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/181D2049-A90E-F111-8406-001DD812D049 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt