Mayor says police officers are becoming 'fetal'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel blames an increase in Chicago crime on police officers who are afraid they'll get in trouble during arrests.

He's responding to criticism over a recent comment where he said Chicago officers are becoming "fetal."

The mayor says the cases in Ferguson and Baltimore impact their actions.

"Officers themselves were telling me about how the news over the last 15 months have impacted their instincts," the mayor said. "Do they stop or do they keep driving? When I stop here is it my career on the line?"

Mayor Emanuel says he's asked Attorney General Loretta Lynch to support officers who are doing a good job at practicing community policing.