Copeland Sworn In As New Delaware County District Attorney

MEDIA, PA – Delaware County officially has a new District Attorney, as Katayoun "Kat" M. Copeland was sworn in to office Friday at an induction ceremony in the Delaware County Courthouse.

President Judge Kevin F. Kelly presided over the ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday in The Honorable John V. Diggins Ceremonial Courtroom.

"I am returning home, to an office where I spent 19 years, with the same passion and vigor that I brought to the office when I arrived as a newly minted, eager prosecutor," Copeland said at the ceremony. "Moving forward, I pledge that under my leadership this office will approach its mission, and pro-actively pursue new ideas and listen to those with suggestions on how we can together face the real and present challenges to our criminal justice systems in creatively, courageously, and compassionately seeking restorative justice."

Copeland was administered the Oath of Office by Kelly; her introduction was done by Zane David Memeger, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and the Bible was held by her mother Shahin M. Copeland and her brother Cyrus Copeland, according to the county.

The invocation and benediction were given by Sister Marguerite O'Beirne, Vice President for Mission Ministry at Neumann University; the Pledge of Allegiance was led by retired Captain John J. McKenna, and the National Anthem was sung by Delaware County Probation Officer Jennifer Green.

Copeland was appointed DA on Friday, Jan. 5. She takes over the DA's office after former DA Jack Whelan was elected to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in November.

Copeland is a graduate of The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr College and Temple University's Beasley School of Law.

She has spent 25 years as a career prosecutor, working for Delaware County DA's office for 19 years with its drug task force and criminal terrorism unit, as well as United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania where she worked on cases involving drug operations, attempted murders, racketeering, and other major crimes.

During her prosecutorial career, Copeland has earned honors, awards, and recognition from various agencies, including police in Marple Township, Media Borough, Upper Darby Township; Pennsylvania State Police; and Delaware County agencies.

The county said it received 20 applications for the DA position. However, Copeland's familiarity with the county, experience as a federal prosecutor, and appreciation for concerns about restorative justice and re-entry opportunities set her apart from the crowd, the county said.

"With my appointment,"she said in a statement, "I pledge to lead this vigorous fight to ensure that Delaware County continues to be a wonderful, safe place to thrive."

Pictured above are Cyrus Copeland, Shahin Copeland, and Katayoun Copeland during her swearing in ceremony Friday

Images courtesy of Delaware County