Mayor names longtime police oversight investigator as interim COPA chief administrator
Mayor Brandon Johnson has picked an experienced police accountability investigator to temporarily lead Chicago’s police oversight agency while the city conducts a nationwide search for the agency’s next permanent leader.
LaKenya White was tabbed interim chief administrator for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the mayor announced Thursday. She brings 25 years of experience in various police oversight roles, including eight years with COPA since the agency was created.
White replaces Andrea Kersten, who resigned last month amid allegations of presiding over investigations with anti-police bias.
White started as a major case specialist for COPA, and she most recently served as director of investigations for intake where she made jurisdictional decisions for all incoming complaints.
In a statement, Johnson said White’s experience and “dedicated service” to the city made her an “exceptional choice” for the position.
“Her experience speaks for itself in her ability to respond decisively under pressure,” Johnson said. “White's institutional knowledge is critical to ensuring a smooth transition. With this appointment, we look forward to continuing COPA's important work to advance fair, timely and effective accountability within our police department.”
White started her career in police accountability as an intake aid in the Office of Professional Standards in 2000. She then served as an investigator and later a shooting specialist with the Independent Police Review Authority before transitioning to COPA in 2017.
“It is an honor to be appointed Interim Chief Administrator,” White said in a statement. “COPA is a great agency and a national leader in the field of police oversight. My goal is to build on the agency's successful work, further strengthening the positive strides we have made while fostering stronger connections between the community and the Chicago Police Department.”
White earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Chicago State University and a master’s degree in business administration, with a concentration on fraudulent investigations, from St. Xavier University.
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is leading the nationwide search for the permanent COPA chief administrator.
Kersten announced her resignation from COPA on Feb. 13 after serving as chief administrator for three years. Before she took on the role, she was surrounded by controversy.
Kersten’s recommendation that slain Officer Ella French be suspended for her role in the wrongful raid of social worker Anjanette Young’s home sparked an uproar among Chicago City Council members considering whether to accept Kersten’s appointment to lead COPA. She was ultimately confirmed to the job after she apologized.
Before she quit, Kersten received a letter Jan. 27 from the CCPSA saying the oversight panel planned a vote of no confidence in her based on allegations of mismanagement and anti-police bias, sources had told the Sun-Times.
A source close to COPA had said Kersten stood by her work. When she resigned, Kersten credited COPA’s independence and transparency and said she was leaving “with deep appreciation and respect for the committed staff and leadership.”
Contributing: Tom Schuba