Lt. Heather L Daniel, Chicago PD (ret.)
Ms. Daniel holds a B.A. from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School (now UIC Law) and is a licensed Illinois attorney. Daniel’s passion for community service, particularly human rights issues, began in high school and ultimately led her to a distinguished 26+ year career with the Chicago Police Department (CPD). She held a wide variety of positions within CPD, including key policy, accountability, and legislative roles.
During law school and as a licensed attorney, Daniel has focused on public policy, local government, legislative advocacy, and police practices. She interned with the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms and served as a judicial extern in the U.S. Northern District of Illinois while in law school.
Once licensed, she served as Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives (“Tech Review”), then returned to CPD as their Coordinator of Intergovernmental Affairs/Legislative Liaison. In that position she advised the superintendent of police and the Chicago mayor’s office regarding public policy positions and legislative initiatives, represented CPD on policy matters at the state and local level, and was legal counsel for CPD during the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation.
Separately, Daniel has served as an assistant monitor/policing subject matter expert with the Compliance Officer/Community Liaison (the independent monitor) for the Department of Justice policing practices consent decree with Portland, Oregon.
She has also provided pro-bono professional consultation with various organizations, including the Chicago Crime Commission and the National Police Research Platform.