Applications are open for seven seats at the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.
Amidst calls for police accountability, Chicago’s city council in 2021 created a new mechanism for police oversight, the CCPSA.
The CCPSA works with district councils, which are groups elected in each police district and aim to improve the work of police. The goal is to bring police officers and Chicago residents together to plan, prioritize, and build mutual trust to strengthen the police accountability system.
The CCPSA consists of interim commissioners, and this year seven permanent commissioners will be elected.
The district council nominating committee is responsible for conducting the application process and submitting at least two nominees for each vacant seat to the mayor.
For the 2024 nomination cycle, the committee will submit at least 14 nominees for seven open commission seats and the mayor then appoints one candidate for each vacant seat from the list of nominees.
“It’s important for CCPSA to be in existence because the focus of this work is centered around those who have a huge responsibility to the public and that is our men and women in uniform within the Chicago police department,” said Remel Terry, interim commissioner. “Therefore, because of the nature of their work and their direct oversight of enforcing law and protecting communities, the community should have a say to ensure that we have the best, the brightest doing the work.”
Chicago residents who fit the qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Terry, who is a lifelong West Side resident, also highlighted how the CCPSA can be beneficial for the West Side community because they will get to directly communicate with CPD about community’s needs and concerns.
“When we look at the various communities on the west side of Chicago, we’re facing our own challenges when it comes to public safety and this commission is an opportunity to elevate those concerns on a larger platform. Because our meetings are a city entity, everyone within the city has documented information about what are the needs and concerns that are happening on the West side.”
Applicants must meet qualifications to be considered for the role of a commissioner.
According to the city of Chicago’s website, these criteria include residency in Chicago for the past five years and at least five years’ combined experience in fields of law, public policy, social work, psychology, mental health, public safety, community organizing, civil rights or advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities.
The candidate must not have been employed with the Chicago Police Department, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or the Police Board in the last five years.
The application deadline is on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 12 p.m. The nominating committee will meet on March 8 to select nominees. On April 7, the mayor will appoint the candidates or provide a written explanation for declining to appoint a candidate. If any appointments are declined by May 7, the nominating committee will submit new nominees for any remaining vacancies.
Commissioners serve four-year terms on the seven-member CCPSA, receiving a $1,000 monthly stipend.
They oversee the CPD, the COPA, and the Police Board. They also play a central role in selecting and removing the Superintendent of CPD, the Chief Administrator of COPA, and members of the Police Board.
