Committee on Police and Fire meeting, December 12, 2023
- When: Tue, Dec 12, 2023, 1:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Police and Fire
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/9823060/video/893451285
- Transcript: full text (9,402 words, official 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 approved Rule 45 reports and considered the appointment of attorney Kyle Cooper to the Chicago Police Board. Cooper described his work as a Police Board appeals officer reviewing removals of police applicants from the eligibility list and said he would take an objective, fact-based approach to cases and would consider updating police department rules if the board's role changes. Alderpersons asked about his ability to relate to South and West Side communities, over- and under-policing, public opinion, police staffing on the Northwest Side, chase policy, coordination among accountability agencies, and use of technology. The committee recommended approval of the appointment by voice vote. One public commenter spoke.
Topics: Police Board appointment, police accountability, police staffing, over-policing, chase policy, police department rules
Agenda items discussed
- 24:48 Rule 45 reports for October and December 2023 meetings: passed
- 25:17 Appointment of Kyle Cooper as a member of the Chicago Police Board (A2023-0005945): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Asked the nominee why he wanted to serve on the Police Board. (28:19); Asked what he expects to be his biggest challenge on the board. (30:23); Referenced a past incident involving the board president and police and asked how the nominee would handle similar challenges as a Black man on the board. (31:39)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Asked how the nominee's background relates to issues of over-policing in Black and Brown communities such as Englewood and Garfield Park. (34:04); Asked for an instance in which the nominee recommended overturning a removal of a probationary applicant. (35:23); Asked how the nominee would weigh public opinion, including generational views on policing, when deciding cases. (39:33)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Asked whether the nominee would continue his appeals role and what he means by over-policing. (42:26); Asked whether coming from a different neighborhood would affect how he judges a probationary officer from an over-policed community. (43:52)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked how the nominee would make the Police Board better. (45:34); Asked how he would work with COPA, the superintendent and other accountability entities. (49:01); Said clear rules would help qualified applicants who want to serve as police officers. (50:19)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Cited differences in police officers per square mile between districts and asked for the nominee's help addressing Northwest Side staffing, stating his support. (52:44)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Said he hoped the nominee would help rewrite police rules and change how officers are allocated, noting repeated requests for more police on the Northwest Side. (53:59)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Said she was impressed that the nominee repeatedly emphasized objectivity and stated her support. (56:30)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Said Chinatown had the most robberies of any beat in 2022 and that constituents ask for more police resources. (57:57); Asked for the nominee's views on chase policy after a police union leader linked rising robberies to the policy. (58:40); Said the nominee is well positioned to address these issues and stated her full support. (1:01:38)
- Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Said he wanted to determine whether the nominee brings insight into the realities of Chicago's communities beyond legal expertise. (1:02:11); Said his ward experiences both over- and under-policing and needs focused approaches that current protocols do not address. (1:03:28); Asked the nominee to elaborate on his community work to show understanding of neighborhoods like Englewood. (1:04:50)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Said rules should apply everywhere in the city and asked how the nominee would use technology in the board's work. (1:13:38)
Exchanges between members
- 54:11 Alderperson Anthony V. Napolitano said his question was along the same lines as Alderperson Nicholas Sposato.
- 1:04:50 Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell said his question followed Alderperson Jason C. Ervin initial questions about relating to communities.
- 1:13:44 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden said she appreciated Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell comments.
- 1:14:01 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden said she appreciated Alderperson Samantha Nugent comment about objectivity.