Dan Proft and retired Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel discussed the intersection of public safety, policing policy, and political rhetoric in Illinois and beyond. The conversation was sparked by recent comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who blamed white supremacy for the public backlash against migrant housing in the city, while defending sanctuary policies and his administration’s budget priorities.
Weitzel pushed back on Johnson’s narrative, calling the mayor’s remarks misleading and inaccurate. Citing national data from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, he emphasized that over 85% of police responses are driven by 911 calls, not by self-initiated officer activity—countering the idea that police are targeting individuals based on race. He described Johnson’s characterization of police behavior as “a blatant lie,” asserting that police respond to calls regardless of race and focus on public safety, not identity politics.
The conversation also addressed the dangers posed by violent offenders on electronic monitoring. Weitzel cited recurring examples—highlighted by outlets like CWB Chicago—of individuals with multiple felonies committing violent crimes while on ankle monitors or under lax supervision. He expressed frustration with the lack of political will in Springfield to amend the SAFE-T Act or tighten bail and monitoring systems.
Beyond criticism of local policy, Weitzel pointed to national issues affecting law enforcement morale and effectiveness. He noted a significant number of police officers shot or ambushed in the line of duty this year—196 shot and 44 ambushed as of the interview date. He called out U.S. Senator Cory Booker for blocking the Protect and Serve Act, a federal measure intended to increase penalties for violence against law enforcement. Booker’s opposition, Weitzel said, stems from unrelated political demands tied to sanctuary cities and ICE funding.
The pair also discussed the broader cultural environment for law enforcement. Despite recent polling showing rising public support for police—over 64% according to Pew Research—Weitzel said officers remain demoralized by politicians and media who amplify anti-police rhetoric. He noted that proactive policing has diminished dramatically, with officers increasingly limiting themselves to reactive calls rather than initiating stops or investigations, due to fear of backlash and lack of institutional support.
Proft raised concerns about the political power of public-sector unions, which he argued were instrumental in electing progressive mayors like Brandon Johnson. Weitzel agreed, adding that police unions and chiefs’ associations are too often silent or cautious due to fear of political consequences. He shared an example of his own failed effort to organize a peaceful protest in Springfield, which was rejected by fellow police chiefs as “unprofessional.” According to Weitzel, many in police leadership are hesitant to speak out because they serve at the pleasure of political leaders who may retaliate.
Sheriffs, who are elected officials, are more vocal, he said, but still not aggressive enough in defending law enforcement or pushing back against what he described as false narratives. He also recalled his experience with Cook County Jail refusing to accept ICE paperwork, even for violent offenders, under sanctuary directives—calling it a symptom of policies that prioritize ideology over safety.
As crime rates fluctuate and public safety remains a top concern in Chicago and other major cities, Weitzel warned that morale within law enforcement remains low. He argued that without stronger leadership, policy changes, and support from both political leaders and the public, efforts to restore order and rebuild trust in the criminal justice system will continue to falter.