LaKenya White Advances Toward Permanent COPA Leadership After Chicago Confirmation Hearing

LaKenya White, a 25-year veteran of Chicago's police oversight system, cleared a major hurdle Friday when the Police and Fire Committee approved her nomination to permanently lead the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), sending the confirmation to a full Chicago City Council vote scheduled for Wednesday.

White used the confirmation hearing to signal a clear departure from the status quo, pledging to reform the agency's internal culture, improve investigative quality, and rebuild public trust on both sides of the police accountability debate. She was direct about the challenges ahead, acknowledging that COPA has suffered significant reputational damage in recent years. 'I am here to be fair, to be truthful. And if that gets me not liked, then so be it,' she told the committee.

White's career in police oversight stretches back to 2000, spanning predecessor agencies including the Office of Professional Standards and the Independent Police Review Authority before she joined COPA at its founding in 2017. Notably, she served as chief investigator in the Rekia Boyd shooting case, describing it as one that will 'forever resonate' with her. To restore community confidence, she outlined plans to establish a youth commission and expand outreach through Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges.

COPA has been without a permanent director since February 2025, when former chief administrator Andrea Kersten resigned ahead of a no-confidence vote amid widespread opposition. White, who served as acting chief administrator following Kersten's departure, emphasized her commitment to conducting fair, thorough, and timely investigations while remaining impartial to outside pressure, stating she would not be 'affected by activism.'