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West Side Police Commander Facing Criminal Charges

By Quinn Ford | August 27, 2014 7:26pm
 Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans, who heads the city's Harrison Police District, is facing criminal charges, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office
Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans, who heads the city's Harrison Police District, is facing criminal charges, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office
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CHICAGO — A West Side Chicago Police commander is facing criminal charges, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

Cmdr. Glenn Evans, who currently heads the West Side's Harrison District, will appear in bond court Thursday afternoon, said Cook County State's Attorney spokeswoman Sally Daly.

Evans has been charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct, Daly said.

Daly could not immediately provide more details surrounding the charges, but in July WBEZ reported that the Independent Police Review Authority had recommended Evans be stripped of his police powers.

That recommendation reportedly followed a DNA test that backed a complaint that Evans put a gun inside a South Side man's mouth in January 2013, according to WBEZ. At the time, Evans headed up the Grand Crossing District on the South Side.

In the past, Evans has enjoyed support from some community members and Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy.

At an unrelated news conference on Monday, McCarthy brushed off a reporter who asked if McCarthy still supported Evans after the police board's recommendation.

After news of the charges later Thursday, McCarthy said in a statement the department will cooperate fully with prosecutors on the case.

"The alleged actions, if true, are unacceptable to both the residents we serve and to the men and women of this department.

"As soon as we were made aware of the charges, Cmdr. Evans was relieved of his police powers, pending the outcome of this matter," McCarthy said in the statement. "Like any private citizen, the commander is innocent until proven guilty, and we need to allow this case to proceed like any other."

On Wednesday evening, 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin released a statement concerning the charges.

"While I await the findings of the indictment of Cmdr. Evans, the greater concern I hold is for the residents of the 28th Ward and the West Side of Chicago," Ervin stated.

"There are still serious issues facing our communities which will need to be addressed in his absence. Supt. McCarthy has the responsibility of appointing another commander to the 11th District. I am apprehensive about McCarthy's selection process because of the experiences we are currently witnessing."

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