Some Chicago residents are calling for a public hearing to address concerns about possible collaboration between local police and federal immigration authorities. The issue was discussed at a Thursday meeting organized by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, a civilian police oversight board.
The meeting included leaders from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the Inspector General’s Office for Public Safety, but Police Superintendent Larry Snelling did not attend. According to the commission, Snelling was invited but unavailable.
About 50 people attended, including neighbors, activists, and members of elected police district councils. Several participants noted Snelling’s absence and expressed frustration over what they see as slow progress in investigating whether Chicago police violated Sanctuary City policies during Operation Midway Blitz last fall.
Erin Vogel, a member of the 9th Police District council, said during the meeting: “At this point, I’m angry, I’m frustrated, and I’m really tired of hearing from my constituents asking, ‘What are we doing?’ It scares me that we won’t be prepared as an accountability body and that we’re not making profound steps to just have a hearing. We’re asking for a hearing. … We’re moving at a snail’s pace.”
Last month, around 1,500 people participated in another special commission meeting—both in person and online—to raise questions about local police interactions with federal agents. Calls for an investigation have been ongoing since summer and intensified during recent federal immigration enforcement actions.
However, an investigation has yet to begin as city officials debate which agency should lead it. Superintendent Snelling has denied any violations of Sanctuary City rules by officers. Mayor Brandon Johnson has also defended the department at times.
Currently, complaints against officers are handled by the Police Department’s Bureau of Internal Affairs. As of February 17th, COPA had received 44 complaints related to these issues since June; however, under current policy only new complaints would be investigated by COPA if a proposed ordinance is passed by City Council. Complaints made before implementation would remain with Internal Affairs.
LaKenya White, interim chief of COPA, addressed attendees: “If and when this amendment is adopted, COPA will immediately begin investigating new complaints alleging violations,” she said. “I know transparency on this issue remains critically important to the people in this room at this moment. Transparency is not a simple value; it’s a necessity.”
“COPA will build entirely on the foundation of transparency and our agency exists to ensure that accountability is conducted in the open and with the public at the center of our work,” White added.
White supports expanding her agency’s role but warned that staffing shortages could present challenges if COPA takes on more investigations. She said that help from the Inspector General’s Office would be needed.
Attendees also asked about Mayor Johnson’s recent ICE on Notice executive order. The order sets out how Chicago police should investigate or refer federal agents who may have broken state or local laws for prosecution. Officials said specific guidelines on implementing this order have not yet been clarified.
