Tom Weitzel

A Chicago police officer watches on the street. Assaults on police officers must stop, and the public can help by demanding that violent suspects be held accountable, a retired suburban police chief writes.

Attacks on police officers are rising. The lawlessness must end.

Some will say, “That’s part of the job,” but that is untrue. Politicians, the court system, and prosecutors must stop making it impossible for law enforcement to carry out their sworn duty, a retired police chief writes.

By Tom Weitzel

The Circuit Court of Cook County’s Fifth Municipal District building in Bridgeview. Those seeking expungement of their criminal records must first file paperwork with the circuit court where the arrest occurred.

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Be aware of the pitfalls when it comes to getting a criminal record expunged

Even if an individual obtains an expungement from local law enforcement, the FBI is not required — and often won’t — expunge the record from its National Crime Incident database, a retired suburban police chief warns.

By Tom Weitzel

Dozens of officers on Wednesday walk through the lobby of the Leighton Criminal Courthouse following a hearing for Oak Lawn Police Officer Patrick O’Donnell, who faces charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct in connection with the beating of a teenager during an arrest last summer in the southwest suburb.

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Cook County grand jury system needs to go

What other criminal justice system exists with a process that consists of an assistant state’s attorney and police officer presenting evidence without a cross-examination?

By Tom Weitzel

Thomas Wortham III, father of Thomas Wortham IV, can’t hold back his tears as he speaks about his son who was murdered with a trafficked gun in Chicago. His Chicago Police Officer son served two terms in Iraq, but died in gun violence in Chicago. The Brady Center to prevent gun violence has filed a suit against the Mississippi gun dealer who sold the straw purchased gun. On the right is Carolyn Wortham, mother of Thomas Wortham IV and wife of Thomas Wortham III. | Al Podgorski~Chicago Sun-Times

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Broken public defense system hurts both victims and those accused of crimes

Improving the public defense system will require better pay, investments in new technology and ensuring that the assistant public defenders have realistic and manageable workloads.

By Tom Weitzel

Assault-style rifles are displayed in a sporting goods store on Jan. 11 in Tinley Park.

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Sheriffs, do your duty and uphold the law on assault weapons

If law enforcement leaders cannot stay out of the political fray and refrain from making purposefully inflammatory statements for their own personal gain, the profession is doomed.

By Tom Weitzel

Buffalo Grove Police work the scene where multiple people were found dead inside a home Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2022, in Buffalo Grove, Ill.

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Get tough on domestic violence to prevent another Buffalo Grove tragedy

There were red flags beforehand in the Buffalo Grove case. Could it have been prevented? That is still debatable, but certainly more could have been done.

By Tom Weitzel

Mateo Zastro, 3, was fatally shot on the Southwest Side in a road rage attack, according to Chicago Police.

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We should not accept any more children being gunned down

Society needs to recognize that everyone counts. It is unconscionable that children are being murdered in the streets of America. Step up and do something about it. I’ll join you.

By Tom Weitzel

Chicago police investigate the shooting of a driver at Clark and Addison near Wrigley Field on Sept. 15. Police will be hampered by provisions in the SAFE-T Act, a former police chief writes.

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I’m a former police chief. Here’s what’s wrong with the SAFE-T Act.

I want to set the record straight in regard to public safety and law enforcement concerns about the ability to detain accused violent offenders under this legislation.

By Tom Weitzel