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.

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability President Anthony Driver Jr., appears during a Chicago City Council budget hearing on Nov. 9, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

CPD oversight commissioner calls for more time in superintendent search

July 29, 2026 at 3:17 p.m.

One of the city’s police oversight commissioners on Wednesday asked the City Council to extend the deadline in the ongoing search for the next Chicago police superintendent until Spring 2027,...

Chicago Police officers Francis Martillo and Detinee Reib embrace after their graduation ceremony, July 22, 2025 at Navy Pier. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

In historic shift, Latino officers soon to be largest racial group in Chicago Police Department

July 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In the coming months, for the first time in the 191-year history of the Chicago Police Department, white officers will no longer be the largest racial group in the department’s...

Members of the Chicago police SWAT team work in an alley in the 4600 block of North Springfield Avenue on July 20, 2026. Two people, including a SWAT officer, were shot and the suspect barricaded himself in a building with a woman and a teenage girl. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Albany Park man charged, ordered detained, after Monday SWAT shooting

July 22, 2026 at 7:03 p.m.

A Northwest Side man now faces a slew of felony charges — including attempted murder of a police officer — one day after he allegedly shot his mother-in-law and a...

Lincoln Park bar ordered closed after fatal weekend shooting

July 21, 2026 at 5:08 p.m.

“In partnership with the local community, my office has pushed for further restrictions and investigation of this bar due to several years of safety incidents,” Ald. Timmy Knutsen, 43rd, said...

Person in custody after SWAT officer shot during Albany Park barricade

July 20, 2026 at 7:31 p.m.

A person was taken into custody Monday afternoon hours after a Chicago police SWAT team officer was shot during a barricade situation in Albany Park, according to police.

Felicia Chase, chair of the St. Sabina Family Parish Council, speaks as she and dozens of supporters gather at the church on July 17, 2026, to show their support for the Rev. Michael Pfleger amid sexual abuse allegations. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

St. Sabina congregation calls for speedy finish in Michael Pfleger investigation

July 17, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Dozens of parishioners from St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham gathered Friday morning to call on the Archdiocese of Chicago to expeditiously complete its investigation into another allegation of child...

Chicago police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling speaks during an interview with the Chicago Tribune on July 10, 2026. Snelling has announced he will be retiring from the department Wednesday. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling reflects: ‘Once you know it’s time to go, then it’s time to move on’

July 14, 2026 at 5:05 p.m.

When Snelling finishes his day at CPD headquarters Wednesday, he’ll no longer be the boss. The 57-year-old is set to retire after nearly three years at the helm of the...

Adriana, 34, walks near the 4500 block of West Fifth Avenue while working as a sex worker in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood on April 16, 2026. Adriana says she has been working as a sex worker for a little over 10 years and has been arrested on prostitution charges in the past. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Law enforcement takes different tack to fight prostitution in Chicago

July 13, 2026 at 8:16 a.m.

Access to the resources and assistance to get out of the sex trade can depend on which law enforcement agency is involved and a person’s willingness to cooperate, the Tribune...

Harold’s Chicken CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod leads an employee training session in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood on June 19, 2019. (Kristan Lieb/for the Chicago Tribune)

Chicken coup? Family flap over control of famous Harold’s Chicken Shack brand lands in court

July 9, 2026 at 10:28 a.m.

Six months after the death of Harold’s Chicken Shack CEO Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the question remains: Who owns the iconic Chicago restaurant brand?

People gather at Cirrus Condominiums west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive in anticipation of the Navy Pier Independence Day fireworks on July 4, 2026, in Chicago. Because of dense fog, viewers did not see any fireworks. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

City sees tempered holiday weekend violence as Snelling prepares to exit CPD

July 6, 2026 at 7:17 p.m.

Violence during key summer weekends has been tempered as police Superintendent Larry Snelling prepares his exit, including last weekend when the city saw 4 homicides.

All Stories