On Thursday, Chicago police Lieutenant Glenn Evans spoke publicly for the first time since he was found not guilty of shoving a gun down a suspect’s throat.

His attorney, Victor Henderson, said the quality of Evans’ police work was evident in the testimony of supporters who showed up on his behalf.

Evans was demoted from commander, but survived an aborted effort to fire him for alleged excessive force. He was acquitted on the charges of excessive force in December.

Now, he says he was framed by the Independent Police Review Authority and pressured to quit by police bosses. Evans is suing the city of Chicago, IPRA, WBEZ, and one of its reporters in the matter.

The community members who were invited to the press conference by Evans praised the officer, saying he got to know residents and was quick to act on complaints.

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South Shore resident James Norris said Evans “was community policing before community policing was cool.”

At one point, supporters started chanting “bring him back.”

When asked about the dozens of excessive force violations filed against Evans throughout his career, his attorney said the gathered supporters should counter that.

When Evans spoke, he admitted to having made mistakes in his past, but said he feels the need to stand up and fight for recognition of his acquittal.

“This isn’t just police work to me, these are people,” he said. “These are family, and I’m here to protect them.”