Chief says Chicago police are supported, motivated

[October 13, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago's police superintendent is denying a news report that officers in his command are working the streets less aggressively out of fear of being second-guessed by him.

Jody Weis told reporters Saturday that despite what some people may say, he sees officers who are well supported by their superiors and highly motivated.

According to statistics provided by police and an internal document obtained by The Associated Press, serious crime is up but arrests are down in Chicago. Officers are also seizing fewer guns and frisking gang members less often than they did before Weis arrived.

Police have denied that any deliberate "slowdown" is taking place. But some members of the department have blamed low morale and fear of investigation by Weis.

[Associated Press]

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