Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts explains why the brutal situation that occurred with the 29-year old shows a bigger problem against police officers that isn’t entirely warranted.
Over the weekend, Memphis has called out against five angry, inexperienced officers who beat down Tyre Nichols, who died hours later from his injuries. Meanwhile, at the same time, demonstrators are calling for all police to be punished. But is that truly the answer?
Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts doesn’t believe police as a whole are to blame, but rather the system. The Founder, President and CEO of InVest USA is once again pushing for police to be properly funded, so that inexperience doesn’t play a part as it did in Nichols’ death. Letts joins us now to discuss the matter further and hopes that a push can be made in the right direction to both find justice for what happened and make sure other officers aren’t to blame for it.
Q&A:
- How shocked are you in regard to what happened to Tyre Nichols? And what does this say about the lack of training that some of these officers are receiving as the result of the shortage of officers happening right now?
- Do you believe that Memphis should’ve kept a closer eye on these officers in previous encounters to avoid what happened with Nichols?
- Is there potential for some politicians to use this situation to revive their “defund the police” campaigns? We’ve already seen a few Democrats, including some in New York, continue to push for this, especially in the wake of the growing protests.
- You’ve noted that the best answer for this is to get police the funding they need, so that inexperience is no longer an issue, and it would provide the officers that are doing good (99 percent, based on your estimates) the gear and support they require to do their job. Is this correct?
- Is there any chance that Republicans will look at this situation and try to get the “fund the police” bill that Joe Biden pushed for approved? Along with the rising criminal activity in several cities, including Seattle, Chicago and Portland?
- What do you think the most dangerous thing is about the mentality regarding “All Cops Are Bastards (ACAB)” or “Cop City” when it comes to officers that are merely doing their job? Does this paint a picture that all cops are “evil” despite the fact this isn’t the case?
- Do you think certain politicians, as well as the media, are doing what they can to continue to work on this false image of police?
- You’re the creator of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. Tell us more about that, and why support for fellow officers is so important right now.
- We understand that InVest USA is also actively involved with Twitter. Where can interested parties learn more?
Those interested in what I do on Twitter can do so on the official Invest USA account.
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.
