Following the shooting that took place in an Uvalde elementary school a couple of weeks ago, some city officials are questioning the importance of resource officers within schools, even getting to the point of removing them.
While some have complained in the past about selective behavior by certain resource officers, others, like former police officer and CEO of the Lake Forest Group Michael Verden, explained how schools are placing “the best and brightest” within their walls to assure that would-be criminals are dealt with.
Speaking with Fox News, Verden explained that their primary role is to “monitor access into the school, and if they do that, they’ve enhanced the safety and security of that school 100%.” With their removal, however, safety could very well be put into question.
Here to talk more about this topic is Michael Letts, a pro-police representative who serves as founder and CEO of InVest USA. They are an organization that provides thousands of bulletproof vests to officers across the country, through various charitable organizations and sponsorships. His insight will certainly prove useful in tonight’s interview.
Q&A:
- What kind of danger may these kids be in with the removal of school resource officers?
- There are some who complain that school resource officers aren’t a necessity, and some even act with “selective” behavior against different types of students. What do you think of this criticism?
- Ken Gray, who serves as a senior lecturer at the University of New Haven’s Criminal Justice Department, said that the officers “are also part of the threat analysis” when it comes to danger in schools. What do you think is the biggest problem with this statement?
- What options do you think states and communities will have if they do away with school resource officers? Arming the teachers? Something else?
- Let’s say you were in charge of a security program with schools and similar institutions? How vital would school resource officers be to it? What more would you add to assure the safety of the children?
- Where can we learn more about InVest USA?
- You can visit the official website at http://www.investusa.org.
About Michael Letts:
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Gerald McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com
