An ex-Chicagoland police chief is advocating for violent ambushes and murders of on-duty police officers to be punishable as a federal crime, urging President-elect Donald Trump to take action on the matter. Retired Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel highlighted the alarming increase in ambush attacks on police officers in recent years, emphasizing the need for federal intervention.
Weitzel expressed concern over the rise in ambush attacks, citing incidents where officers were targeted while sitting in their squad cars or responding to fake 911 calls designed to lure them into dangerous situations. He emphasized the need for federal legislation to address these attacks, as current laws only provide federal penalties in limited circumstances.
While states have laws that treat the murder of police officers as a serious offense, Weitzel stressed the importance of uniformity in prosecuting and investigating such cases across all states. He shared his personal experience of surviving an ambush shooting and highlighted the need for consistent enforcement of laws to provide justice for victims and their families.
Weitzel has reached out to state legislators, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and previous administrations to advocate for federal action on this issue. Despite receiving responses from the Department of Justice under the Trump administration, he believes more needs to be done to address the escalating violence against law enforcement officers.
FBI data reveals a concerning increase in officer fatalities nationwide, with nearly 200 officers feloniously killed over a three-year period. The Chicago Police Department has also witnessed several tragic losses, including the deaths of Officer Andres Mauricio Vasquez Lasso, Officer Arenah M. Preston, and Officer Enrique Martinez.
Weitzel emphasized the importance of President Trump's support for law enforcement and urged him to prioritize legislation and funding to protect officers. He believes that the current administration's focus on law and order presents an opportunity to push for federal measures to combat violence against police officers.
