Glenn Evans, a Chicago police commander frequently praised for his no-nonsense approach to fighting crime in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods, was suspended Wednesday after he was charged with placing the barrel of his gun into a suspect's mouth, reports the Chicago Tribune. Evans faces one count of aggravated battery and one count of official misconduct.
Evans has been the subject of a series of stories on WBEZ radio. As recently as Monday, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy was standing by him. But after Evans was charged, McCarthy called the allegations “unacceptable.” Evans is accused of putting his gun in the mouth of Rickey J. Williams, 24, during on arrest in January 2013. Williams’ DNA was found on Evans' gun, according to a State Police lab report. The Independent Police Review Authority recommended that Evans be relieved of his police powers until the case was resolved, but McCarthy left him in his position until charges were filed.