Former Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Chris Krok to discuss the ongoing challenges facing law enforcement in Chicago and across the nation. Weitzel, who has been outspoken in his defense of police officers, criticized both media narratives and legislative efforts that he says have eroded morale and effectiveness within police departments.
Reacting to a recent Chicago Sun-Times front page that highlighted racial disparities in traffic stops, Weitzel called the coverage “disgusting,” accusing the paper of painting all Chicago police officers as racist. He said the traffic stop data was misleading and the story was irresponsible, particularly as it ran alongside a report on a trial related to the fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer.
“This is what the media does,” Weitzel said. “They undermine police efforts while glorifying criminal defendants. And then they wonder why the streets aren’t safer.”
Weitzel also addressed broader trends in policing since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, saying that officers across Illinois and the country are now hesitant to engage in proactive policing. He noted that many police officers, including in Chicago, have resigned or transferred to other departments due to fear of being prosecuted for doing their jobs.
“There’s no incentive anymore,” he said. “They’re not rushing into dangerous situations. They’re not doing community engagement. They’re responding to calls and moving on. That’s it.”
He linked the decline in proactive policing to a rise in mass shootings and street violence, arguing that frontline officers often have the best ideas for preventing violence but are ignored by politically appointed leadership.
On the issue of traffic stops, Weitzel defended what some call “pretextual” stops, saying they are legal and effective in identifying serious crimes. He pushed back on suggestions that such stops are racially motivated.
“If someone runs a stop sign, that’s a violation. It’s not racist. It’s enforcing the law,” he said.
Weitzel also weighed in on recent efforts in Illinois to limit the ability of federal law enforcement officers, such as ICE agents, to operate anonymously by wearing masks. He called the effort legally toothless and dangerous, noting a sharp rise in violence and threats against ICE officers and their families.
“These are federal law enforcement officers who are being targeted,” Weitzel said. “They wear masks to protect themselves from being doxxed or worse. We’ve already seen armed attacks on detention centers. This is real.”
The former chief referenced a recent case in Texas where an officer was shot responding to a planned attack on an ICE facility. He said such incidents underscore the growing danger faced by federal officers, especially in states and cities that take a hostile stance toward immigration enforcement.
In the final portion of the interview, Weitzel warned about the broader implications of undermining law enforcement, suggesting it opens the door to more violence and less accountability. He also expressed support for Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, whom he believes may run for mayor of Chicago and has a strong record of supporting law enforcement.
“She’s always stood up for police—even when it wasn’t popular,” he said.
Weitzel concluded by calling for a return to balanced coverage and common-sense legislation that supports law enforcement while ensuring accountability.
“Until someone becomes a victim, they don’t understand,” he said. “But when it happens to you or your family, everything changes.”