Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts discusses the attack, and what local governments can do to prevent it in the future.
A group of law enforcement recruits at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (S.T.A.R.S.) in Whittier, California have been injured after a driver ran right into them during their morning run. As a result, five have critical injuries, while an additional 18 have smaller injuries. The driver has since been taken into custody.
Details are still coming out of the incident, but the driver may have targeted the recruits since they were wearing high-visibility vests during their run.
There have been several reports about police being attacked over the past couple of years, especially with the animosity that has built up against them following several “defund the police” protests following the death of George Floyd. However, this incident shows just how easy it is to injure someone, even up-and-comers that simply want to serve as police officers.
With us now to discuss this incident is Michael Letts. He’s a law enforcement veteran with 30 years of experience under his belt. Michael currently serves as founder, CEO and president for InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. His expertise should prove quite useful.
Q&A:
- Why do you think people attack police officers following the events from the “defund the police” campaigns? Is it rage? A lack of mental health? Perhaps something else?
- Did S.T.A.R.S. just not have the proper security to keep these recruits safe? Or is that something due to the city potentially slashing the budget when it could have helped out more?
- We’ve already seen a record number of police officers depart from their duty in several states over the past few months, including over 2,000 in New York and nearly 4,000 in Seattle. Could this incident possibly convince those that want to become police officers to change their mind?
- What does this say to the ignorance by some local governments and officials when it comes to taking care of their police officers and providing them the money they need to buy proper gear and protection from those out to hurt them?
- Do you believe progress will be made on the bill making its way through Congress that will supposedly provide police officers with the funding they need?
- For those that may feel that becoming a police officer is a bad idea right now, what would you say to them to keep them going?
- Tell us more about InVest USA, and how it’s helping police officers, especially in their time of need.
- Where can we learn more about In-Vest USA, and how people can contribute to the group?
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. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com or 919-437-0001.
