Sam Charles

Sam Charles is a criminal justice reporter for the Chicago Tribune covering the Chicago Police Department. He was previously a staff reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and an investigative producer at WGN-TV. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

More than seven years after a racially charged melee and police shooting left a man dead in Mount Greenwood, a proposed settlement was reached last week between the city and the man’s family, court records show.

Lawsuit over controversial police shooting in Mount Greenwood settled just before trial

June 10, 2024 at 6:05 p.m.

More than seven years after a racially charged melee and police shooting left a man dead in Mount Greenwood, a proposed settlement was reached last week between the city and...

The landscape has changed and CPD isn't the same police force as it was in 1968. But questions remain as protesters will arrive in Chicago this August for the Democratic National Convention.

Politics |
‘This will not be 1968.’ Chicago police prepare for DNC as whole world watches once again.

June 10, 2024 at 6:17 a.m.

The landscape has changed and CPD isn't the same police force as it was in 1968. But questions remain as protesters will arrive in Chicago this August for the Democratic...

While fewer Illinois residents died of gunfire in 2022, longstanding racial disparities among victims remain, according to a new report released Friday.

Crime and Public Safety |
Gun violence survivors use new report to highlight work to be done

June 7, 2024 at 5:12 p.m.

While fewer Illinois residents died of gunfire in 2022, longstanding racial disparities among victims remain, according to a new report released Friday.

Stakeholders in anti-violence efforts are preparing for extra challenges with a major political convention along with a host of other summer activities throughout Chicago. Meanwhile, CPD faces roughly 2,000 vacant officer positions.

Crime and Public Safety |
As another Chicago summer begins, stakeholders in anti-violence efforts dig in

June 6, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Stakeholders in anti-violence efforts are preparing for extra challenges with a major political convention along with a host of other summer activities throughout Chicago. Meanwhile, CPD faces roughly 2,000 vacant...

As the Democratic National Convention draws closer, leaders of the Chicago Police Department and United States Secret Service on Tuesday again sought to highlight their preparation efforts.

Politics |
CPD stresses readiness for Democratic National Convention as Secret Service boss visits Chicago

June 4, 2024 at 12:56 p.m.

As the Democratic National Convention draws closer, leaders of the Chicago Police Department and United States Secret Service on Tuesday again sought to highlight their preparation efforts.

The Chicago Police Department will soon bolster its public database of misconduct investigation files to make the records more searchable, leaders of the CPD and Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced.

Crime and Public Safety |
CPD misconduct records to be searchable by officer name

May 31, 2024 at 4:52 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department will soon bolster its public database of misconduct investigation files to make the records more searchable, leaders of the CPD and Community Commission for Public Safety...

While the report acknowledged several of the department's strides, it highlighted a lack of community input in those policies and “outdated concepts and tactics” in CPD’s plans to manage crowds.

Politics |
Chicago watchdog warns Police Department crowd management training ‘insufficient’ ahead of DNC

May 30, 2024 at 4:48 p.m.

While the report acknowledged several of the department's strides, it highlighted a lack of community input in those policies and “outdated concepts and tactics” in CPD’s plans to manage crowds.

Five years after pledging to firm up recordkeeping on incidents where police officers point their weapons at people while performing their duties, the Chicago Police Department is still chasing goals outlined in a federal consent decree guiding reform.

Crime and Public Safety |
Chicago police, city officials appear to miss goals on meeting requirement to report and review when officers point their weapons

May 21, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Five years after pledging to firm up recordkeeping on incidents where police officers point their weapons at people while performing their duties, the Chicago Police Department is still chasing goals...

Chicago police dismantled DePaul University’s pro-Palestine encampment Thursday morning after administrators signed a complaint alleging trespassing by the protestors.

Education |
Chicago police clear DePaul’s pro-Palestinian encampment

May 16, 2024 at 5:29 p.m.

Chicago police dismantled DePaul University’s pro-Palestine encampment Thursday morning after administrators signed a complaint alleging trespassing by the protestors.

Animal cruelty charges filed against founder of South Side feral cat not-for-profit

May 13, 2024 at 3:15 p.m.

The owner of a South Side not-for-profit that sought to care for the city’s feral cat population now faces charges of animal cruelty after authorities last month allegedly found five...

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