Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel has criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s directive for police not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing it risks officer safety and morale. He warned that refusing help during dangerous situations could lead to harm for both federal and local officers. Johnson’s supporters have backed the city’s sanctuary policies in an effort to build immigrant trust.
Weitzel stated, “He’s had his city attorneys go and brief the administrative staff or Chicago PD, and then they’re going to roll call to tell their officers how they cannot assist.”
Weitzel added, “The dangerous thing with that is that he’s telling them to never assist. So even when ICE would need more police officers because they’re under attack, they’re being assaulted, maybe they’re being battered. He’s directed his police department to not cooperate, which is unheard of. I’ve actually never heard of that.”…