Chicago Police 'Not Tough,' Says Donald Trump

Donald Trump knows a guy who could solve Chicago's crime and killing problem in "one week."

And he's not Batman, either.

"I went to a top police officer in Chicago, who is not the police chief, I could see by the way he was dealing with his people he was a rough, tough guy, they respected him greatly,” Trump said Monday night in an interview with Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. “I said, ‘How do you think you do it?’ He said, ‘Mr. Trump within one week we could stop much of this horror show that’s going on.’ ”

Trump has referenced Chicago's crime and killing problem several times in stump speeches, most recently in Wisconsin last week when he urged inner-city blacks who live in crime-plagued neighborhoods to vote for him and decried the "war on our police." He also tallied up the murders in "Barack Obama's hometown" during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. That night, he told GOP delegates and the American public he would be the "law and order president."

He continues to hammer on that theme, that he alone can rescue America from the dark night.

In Chicago, 441 people have been killed, almost a 50 percent increase over this time last year.

How would this be done so quickly, so effectively? O'Reilly pressed Trump on this.

“How? By being very much tougher than they are now. They’re right now not tough,” Trump replied.

But how? "Tough police tactics," came the reply.

O'Reilly even seemed a little incredulous: "You can't beat them up," he said.

Trump also said he's told Chicago City Hall that his guy, whom he didn't name but identified as "very top police," should be hired to lead the department.

"You know the expression, you have nothing to lose?"

One can only imagine how many four-letter words Mayor Rahm Emanuel would offer in response had Trump actually had such a conversation with City Hall.

Not that the mayor has done much to halt the bloodshed or restore faith and trust in the police department thus far.

"Look at what’s going on in Chicago. It’s horrible," Trump continued. "This guy felt totally competent that he could stop it at a very short period of time."

"No one in the senior command at CPD has ever met with Donald Trump or a member of his campaign. Beyond that, the best way to address crime is through a commitment to community policing and a commitment to stronger laws to keep illegal guns and repeat violent offenders off the street."

The spokesman told the Tribune no deputy superintendent, commander or chief has met with Trump "since at least March," when the candidate canceled a rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago, citing a raucous crowd of protesters. A few people threw some fists and pushed and shoved each other in the arena, and protesters rallied in the streets outside.

When he backed out, Trump said he was advised by Chicago Police to cancel his event. Police at the time said that, too, was a crock and no one with CPD ever advised Trump to cancel his rally and speech.

Watch the full interview on "The O'Reilly Factor."

The Chicago Police Department is currently under a Justice Department civil rights investigation.

Seven police officers could face termination for lying about a fatal police shooting in 2014 that ended the life of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The officer who fired those shots is charged with first-degree murder. A video of the police shooting prompted weeks of protests.

Three police officers were suspended two weeks ago for their involvement in a police chase and shooting that left an unarmed man suspected of stealing a car dead of a bullet wound in the back.

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