Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has named LaKenya White as the acting interim Chief Administrator for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), according to an announcement made on the official City of Chicago website. White, a veteran in the field of investigative work and police accountability, brings over two decades of experience in these areas to her new position.
White's ascent to the role of acting interim Chief Administrator culminates a 25-year trajectory through various positions in the arena of police oversight. A Chicagoan by birth, she began her career as an Intake Aide with the Office of Professional Standards in 2000, moving to the Independent Police Review Authority in 2007. When COPA was established in 2017, she took on the role of Major Case Specialist and progressed to the position of Director of Investigations for Intake. "LaKenya White's years of dedicated service to the City of Chicago, and specifically to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and police oversight make her an exceptional choice for acting interim Chief Administrator," Mayor Johnson stated.
"It is an honor to be appointed Interim Chief Administrator," White was quoted as saying in the City of Chicago's press release. "COPA is a great agency and a national leader in the field of police oversight." She also emphasized her aim to build on COPA's successes and to forge stronger ties between the community and the Chicago Police Department.
In addition to her extensive professional experience, White holds academic credentials that include a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Chicago State University and a master's in business administration with a specialization in fraudulent investigations from St. Xavier University. The search for a permanent Chief Administrator to lead COPA is ongoing and is being managed by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA). As the process unfolds, White's appointment is key to maintaining continuity in the office's operations.
