Chicago’s new superintendent of police was brought in to make changes to the scandal plagued department and that’s what he’s doing. But he’s also making overtures to the rank and file who are wondering what he’ll do when the police and the public are at odds.

Listen to a press conference with Jody Weis.

For many Chicago cops, Superintendent Jody Weis is an unknown quantity. He’s never been a police officer, a fact that many long time officers like to point out, especially when Weis wears his brand new uniform.

But in a speech yesterday before the Chicago Crime Commission, Weis promised that he will publicly stand with officers who make honest mistakes. But he says there’s no room for cover-ups.

WEIS: You know it used to be a phrase, there’s a thousand eyes in the night? Well now there’s like 10,000 cameras. You know every kid on the street got a cell phone, usually every cell phone has a camera. So, the thought that well if I don’t say anything the problem will go away. Those days are gone, they’re just gone. So you know what? It’s better just to address the problem and we’ll move forward.

While Weis says he’ll support officers who make mistakes, he says they’re on their own if they lie, cheat, steal, or engage in brutality or corruption.

I’m Robert Wildeboer, Chicago Public Radio.