Chief John Weiss began his cartooning career at Saratoga High School, where he served as editorial cartoonist for the campus newspaper "The Falcon". Following high school, John attended Sonoma State University where he became the staff cartoonist for the university newspaper "The Star".

John later enrolled in graduate school at San Jose State University, where he earned his Master's Degree in Administration of Justice. During this time, John continued to produce freelance cartoons and also illustrated a book.

John was hired by the Scotts Valley Police Department in 1990, and has served as a patrol officer, juvenile detective, sergeant, lieutenant and is presently the Chief of Police.

John has been a contributing cartoonist with the Santa Cruz Sentinel since 1992 and is presently the staff editorial cartoonist for the Scotts Valley Banner/Valley Press newspapers. John continues to publish cartoons in various periodicals and publications, including 9-1-1 magazine. Additionally, John is producing a comic strip feature about the criminal justice system, which he hopes to syndicate. A member of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists, John is a dedicated cartoonist who continues to produce timely cartoons on a variety of social and political issues.