Chicago’s Ex-Police Oversight Chief Slams Push to Fire Her as ‘Inherently Unfair’

Introduction to the Controversy

Weeks after Chicago’s police oversight chief learned she was facing a vote that could’ve led to her firing, she sent a scathing letter accusing a civilian-led commission of serving as a kangaroo court. Andrea Kersten announced her resignation as chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Feb. 13 — the same day she slammed the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability for conducting an “inherently unfair” inquiry into allegations of misconduct lodged by a group of current and former staffers.

The Investigation and Allegations

CCPSA wrote to Kersten on Jan. 28, saying the commission was beginning a process that could’ve led to her ouster. After 30 days, or any time after she responded, CCPSA could take a no-confidence vote, Anthony Driver and Remel Terry, the panel’s president and vice president, wrote. If they had the votes, it would’ve been left up to the City Council to remove her. Kersten said CCPSA had fallen far short of proving that she had engaged in “gross misconduct or criminal conduct,” as is required to establish “just cause” for taking such a vote.

Due Process Concerns

She also claimed she was denied due process, insisting that CCPSA provided “minimal information” about the accusations against her and refused to identify the employees who alleged wrongdoing. “CCPSA’s admitted and inherent lack of tools, resources, and expertise to conduct this inquiry are now made plain by its failures to take the most basic investigative actions: a probe into the facts surrounding this allegation; interview any other members of COPA leadership who may have information; attempt to determine the actual truthfulness of these allegations; or educating itself on COPA operations as they relate to these allegations,” she wrote.

Response from the Commission

Driver scoffed at that assertion during an interview, saying “the commission’s process was thorough and complete.” “The ordinance that created the CCPSA allows for several layers of due process,” Driver said. “By resigning, Chief Administrator Kersten opted out. Draw your conclusions from that.” Kersten said, “I stand by the contents of my response and remain incredibly proud of the work that I contributed both as chief administrator and in my four years in the agency prior to that.”

Specific Cases and CCPSA Findings

Some of CCPSA’s core findings were tied to some of the most controversial investigations Kersten led: A probe into an unfounded rumor about a cop impregnating a migrant teenager and another targeting officers who got into a deadly gunfight with Dexter Reed. CCPSA seized on Kersten’s comments and preliminary findings in the Reed case, including questions she raised about whether the officers were being truthful about the reason for the deadly traffic stop.

Conclusion

Kersten’s resignation and the controversy surrounding her tenure highlight the challenges and complexities of police oversight and the need for fair and transparent processes. The city’s efforts to reform its police department and ensure accountability will continue to face scrutiny and testing, particularly as new leadership takes over the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

FAQs

• Q: Who is Andrea Kersten and what was her role?
  A: Andrea Kersten was the chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) in Chicago.
• Q: Why did Kersten face a potential no-confidence vote?
  A: Kersten faced a potential no-confidence vote due to allegations of misconduct lodged by current and former staffers, which were investigated by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA).
• Q: What were some of the specific allegations against Kersten?
  A: Allegations included concerns over her handling of certain investigations, such as the case involving Dexter Reed, and accusations of fostering a toxic work environment.
• Q: What was Kersten’s response to the allegations?
  A: Kersten denied any wrongdoing, claimed she was denied due process, and criticized CCPSA’s investigation as "inherently unfair."
• Q: What is the current status of the situation?
  A: Kersten has resigned as chief administrator of COPA, and CCPSA is conducting a nationwide search for her replacement.