Page 16 - March 2018 FOP Newsletter

Field Representative’s Report
COPA lacks the ability to ensure a quality investigation
In my opinion, COPA’s mission statement doesn’t hold water when it comes to the quality of its inves- tigations. The first of those core values ostensibly is integrity, which, among other things, claims to “hold themselves personally accountable for the quality and fairness of their work.”
As part of COPA’s alleged claim to strive for quality of investigations, they have a unit in their Investiga- tion Section called Investigation Operations & Quality Management. COPA commonly refers to it as its IO/ QM section.
The IO/QM section’s duties and responsibilities include monitor- ing major cases (such as police shootings), assigning “experts” when appropriate and managing Quality Assurance Review meetings.
Additionally, COPA even has people assigned as Quality Manage- ment Analysts, who are “primarily responsible for performing qual- ity assurance.”
Throughout COPA’s investigation manual, which informs their investigation in how they are to conduct an investigation and the processes to follow, are constant references to the IO/QM section, which is to have a pivotal role in ensuring a quality investigation. Where there is a lack of instructions on how to ensure a quality in- vestigation, they are instructed to consult the IO/QM Manual for more information.
What is in the IO/QM Manual? Well, that’s the exactly what the Lodge has asked of COPA in a FOIA request.
COPA has been in existence now for approximately six months, claiming to ensure quality investigations, and has made very ques- tionably findings in major cases. So the Lodge was taken aback to find that that COPA’s response was, “The Quality Management Manual is still in draft form.” And, “You are welcome to submit a
FOIA request for the manual in several months. Upon receipt of your request, we will determine whether or not the manual has been finished.”
Yes, that’s what we are dealing with from COPA. An organization which lacks the ability to ensure a quality investigation of our mem- bers.
As proof of that, we have to look no further than the attack by Quintonio Legrier on one of our members, and the fact that COPA doesn’t understand that an officer has the right to protect himself or herself.
The way the civil case is unfolding in court, with COPA hiring outside experts and refusing to release what these experts have said in memos, leads one to wonder what they are attempting to hide. Transparency is another core value that COPA claims to have. This act of fighting the release of the memos by experts doesn’t make it seem that COPA possesses that value, either.
When all is said and done, the civil case will show further proof of what we all already know: COPA isn’t capable of conducting a qual- ity investigation.
Court while on furlough
We have had several officers, typically newer officers, who have been SPAR for missing court while on furlough. Officers need to keep in mind that while you are excused, you still have to notify your unit of the inability to make court. For your responsibility, re- fer to G08-02 Sec E (1).
Your duty weapon
The Lodge wants to ensure that its members know that while there are restrictions by some businesses on carrying a firearm while inside, the department will seek a 10-day suspension of any member whose weapon is stolen out of his or her vehicle. d
ROBERT BARTLETT
16 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2018