Chicago Police Watchdog: ‘Every Profession’ Has a Code of Silence

Crime & Law

Chicago Police Watchdog: ‘Every Profession’ Has a Code of Silence

Evan Garcia | February 6, 2019, 7:21 pm

There’s been a lot of talk about police reform and a police code of silence since video footage surfaced showing the 2014 police shooting of Laquan McDonald.

In the wake of that video, the city’s Independent Police Review Authority was ultimately deemed inadequate and ineffective. In its place emerged a new police watchdog agency with more funding and staff: the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA.

Advocates for reform hope COPA and a recently approved federal consent decree will usher in more police accountability and police reforms. But will it?

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Sydney Roberts has served as COPA’s chief administrator since April 2018. While she acknowledges the code of silence within the city’s police department, she says it’s not “pervasive.” She also says it’s not unique to the police department, but that it occurs in “every profession.”

“I believe that there is a code of silence within the police department, but frankly I believe that there’s a code of silence within every profession,” said Roberts, who previously held several positions in law enforcement and administrative oversight.

“That said, I think the important thing to remember here is that COPA has the authority and the duty to investigate police officers when they misrepresent the facts or lie on an official document,” Roberts said. “And that is something that we do when we receive evidence of that occurring.”

Roberts says the newly approved police consent decree can serve as a “road map to reform.”

“And frankly, it enables the city of Chicago to remain committed to working in good faith to bring about true police reform,” she added.

Still, some advocates of the consent decree worry the legal document is toothless without a police union contract that backs it up. The city and Fraternal Order of Police are currently negotiating a contract for the city’s largest union of police officers.

Below, additional highlights from our conversation with Roberts.

On her experience leading COPA so far:

“It’s been a very exciting experience. One of the things that made me most interested about taking on this position was the ability to serve to improve policing and to work on behalf of the citizens of Chicago and I can honestly say at this point I am truly privileged to serve in this capacity.

“I was the third chief administrator within eight months. I had to hit the ground running and continue the momentum of building trust with the community. I was thrust right in the middle of budget season.

“It’s been very busy. I have learned a lot about the city. I believe I’ve had the opportunity to get a true handle on the concerns of the community and also really identify what’s needed to build that trust.”