COPA finds Chicago officer sexually assaulted woman in 2019; disciplinary firing recommended
Published 2026-09-26 · County Crime Watch
Chicago police watchdog COPA concluded that Officer Alberto Rodriguez sexually assaulted a then‑18‑year‑old woman on August 23, 2019, and later lied to investigators, recommending his termination. COPA’s report says investigators found bruising documented at a hospital visit and that Rodriguez provided conflicting accounts; he denied the allegations. The agency also sustained findings that he supplied the woman alcohol and accessed the police report identifying him as the suspect via CPD’s Caboodle system.
A police spokesperson confirmed Rodriguez, a CPD officer since 2014, has been stripped of police powers and reassigned to take reports by phone at the city’s 311 center. CWB Chicago reported no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the 2019 incident; COPA’s findings are administrative recommendations, not criminal convictions.
Recently retired CPD Supt. Larry Snelling agreed with most of COPA’s conclusions in April 2024 and the watchdog signed off on the final report in November 2024. Rodriguez’s termination proceedings remain subject to ongoing dispute over arbitration and public access to discipline hearings under pending legal review.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
County Crime Watch · Chicago local crime desk