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High-Ranking CPD Officer Charged With Aggravated Battery, Misconduct

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 28, 2014 7:00PM

One of Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy’s most trusted lieutenants faces felony charges in a case where he allegedly assaulted a suspect last year.

Commander Glenn Evans, who was in charge of the Harrison District on the West Side, faces aggravated battery and misconduct charges. He was released Thursday without having to post bond, and was stripped of his badge and gun Wednesday as the charges were brought to light.

The alleged incident occurred Jan. 30, 2013 when Evans, who was commander of the Grand Crossing District at the time, and two other police officers chased Rickey J. Williams, who they reported was spotted with a handgun near 71st Street and Eberhart Avenue. Police never recovered a weapon from Williams, who was charged reckless conduct; that charge was later dropped. A complaint filed against Evans alleged he shoved his gun into Williams’ mouth, tasered Williams in the groin, and threatened to kill Williams. DNA test results from the Illinois State Police in April found material swabbed from Evans’ gun matched Williams’ DNA profile. The city’s Independent Police Review Authority recommended Evans be stripped of his police powers then, yet he remained in his post while the case was referred to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

During Evans’ time in Grand Crossing, he earned praise from McCarthy for his efforts in lowering crime rates in the district, and defended Evans despite the allegations levied against him. McCarthy released a statement after the charges were filed against Evans Wednesday.

“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 Commander Evans was relieved of his police powers, pending the outcome of this matter. Like any private citizen, the commander is innocent until proven guilty and we need to allow this case to proceed like any other. We will cooperate fully with prosecutors.”

Evans’ behavior has gotten him in hot water before. He and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) got into an argument in March where Evans threatened to arrest Ervin if the alderman didn’t leave the Harrison District’s parking lot. In 2009, the city settled two lawsuits involving Evans where it was alleged he fabricated criminal charges against the plaintiffs in order to cover up his own misconduct. Chicago Reporter's Angela Caputo wrote about one of the plaintiffs, Rennie Simmons, and his experience with Evans in an article about police officers who are still allowed to work despite having several misconduct cases against them. Simmons, a Water Department employee with a limp, was charged with battery after he placed a water shutoff notice on a drain pipe near Evans’ West Pullman home.

The charges against Simmons were tossed by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr., who scolded Evans from the bench, in the process, for Evans’ choice of witness.

“Lieutenant,” Bourgeois said as he closed out the hearing on Sept. 17, 2007, “the next time you pick somebody to come in here as a witness, make sure they lie a little better.”