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.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling listens as Police Board President Kyle Cooper speaks during a public meeting at JLM Abundant Life Community Center, Dec. 11, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Number of unresolved CPD discipline cases crawls toward 500 during court fight

December 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

As of mid-December, CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling still must decide whether or not to bring administrative charges in 490 cases in which the Civilian Office of Police Accountability sustained allegations...

Yolanda Rivera, center, the mother of Krystal Rivera, is comforted by Krystal Rivera’s sister, Jackie Rivera, and stepfather, Rico Thompson, during a news conference on Dec. 11, 2025. The family filed a lawsuit against her partner, fellow Officer Carlos Baker, who shot Rivera in a friendly fire incident, as well as the city and the Chicago Police Department. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Family of Krystal Rivera files suit against CPD, partner who shot her, while alleging pair had romantic relationship

December 11, 2025 at 7:36 p.m.

Attorneys for Krystal Rivera’s family said Carlos Baker was profoundly unfit to be a police officer, as demonstrated by the 11 misconduct complaints in which he was a subject in...

Cook County Department of Corrections, Sept. 18, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

After two inmates die in Cook County Jail, a family seeks answers

December 8, 2025 at 7:46 p.m.

The family of a man who died in the Cook County Jail over the weekend gathered outside the criminal courthouse Monday morning to call for clarity on the circumstances of...

Teen migrant charged as adult in fatal Loop stabbing of homeless man

November 26, 2025 at 11:50 a.m.

A 16-year-old Venezuelan migrant has been charged as an adult in the fatal stabbing of a homeless man in the Loop last weekend, Cook County court records show.

Teens charged with murder in Loop stabbing of man, police say

November 25, 2025 at 3:48 p.m.

Three teenage boys now face charges in the killing of a homeless man in the Loop over the weekend, Chicago Police announced Tuesday.

A police investigator walks through the scene of a shooting involving several young people outside the Chicago Theatre in the 100 block of North State Street on Nov. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Investigation continues into pair of downtown shootings, including one that took the life of ‘vibrant’ teen Friday night

November 24, 2025 at 6:45 p.m.

Chicago Police continue to investigate a pair of shootings that unfolded in the Loop Friday night, leaving a 14-year-old boy dead and eight other teens wounded in the latest "teen...

CPD announces new commander of downtown, North Side detectives

November 21, 2025 at 6:01 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department on Friday announced the promotion of a longtime department supervisor to oversee the detectives who investigate the most serious crimes in the city’s downtown area and...

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling speaks in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on June 6, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

CPD use-of-force incidents still climbing at ‘crucial moment’ in reform effort

November 19, 2025 at 4:23 p.m.

For the fourth year in a row, use-of-force incidents involving Chicago police officers are increasing, with advocates and officials saying the trend is helping to bring the reform process to...

A federal officer reaches over Chicago police while threatening to use a canister against members of the community and activists as they protest near the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue on Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police release redacted video of ICE Brighton Park shooting

November 14, 2025 at 5:45 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department on Friday released 13 heavily redacted body camera videos depicting the initial response to a crash and shooting in Brighton Park involving federal immigration agents that...

Chicago rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, before throwing out a ceremonial pitch as the White Sox prepare to host the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 2, 2022. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Lil Durk seeks dismissal of federal case as lawyers say threats to judge and prosecutor were withheld from defense

November 14, 2025 at 1:43 p.m.

Attorneys in Los Angeles for the Chicago rapper allege a series of threats made against the judge and lead prosecutor in the case was improperly withheld from the defense.

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