High-ranking Chicago police officer charged with putting gun in man's mouth

CHICAGO, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A Chicago police commander who allegedly stuck a gun in a suspect's mouth has been suspended and faces criminal charges.

Cmdr. Glenn Evans was released without bond Thursday, a day after he was charged with official misconduct and aggravated assault. Cook County prosecutors say that in January 2013, during the arrest of a man who had fled into a vacant house, Evans not only put the barrel of his service revolver in Rickey Williams' mouth but held a Taser to his genital area.

WBEZ-FM reported that Williams' DNA was found on the gun.

Evans commanded a police district on the West Side. Violent crime in his previous command on the South Side dropped significantly on his watch, earning Evans the praise of Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

McCarthy, in a statement Wednesday, promised the department would cooperate with prosecutors.

"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. "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."