InVest Founder and CEO Michael Letts sounds off on the bill, wondering just what kind of support it truly provides to police officers.
After spending what feels like a lifetime trying to get it passed, the House of Representatives finally passed a bill that will allow for police support. It’s spread across four different elements, which are as follows:
- Providing federal grants to local police departments that have less than 125 officers
- Gives targeted grants to communities with higher rates of criminal violence than normal
- Pushing for the use of mental health officials in response to certain situations, rather than police officers
- Gives funding for investigative technologies to solve “cold cases” that have a tie-in with gun violence
Even with division amongst certain progressives and Democrats, the bill managed to pass, providing some ease of mind in terms of giving police much-needed support, especially with increasing crime rates in cities across the United States. Despite this, there are questions with certain elements of the bill, such as how the funds will be divided and just how long they’ll be provided. (Some estimate that the support will only last a few years.)
With us to discuss this further now is Michael Letts, who has 30 years of law enforcement support under his belt. He currently serves as founder, CEO and president of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers across the country, through charitable groups and sponsorships. His expertise should prove useful on this matter.
Q&A:
- You’ve got certain questions about this bill, particularly with what limitations come with the money. Can you elaborate further on this?
- You believe there’s no such thing as free money with this bill, or some kind of control will have to be surrendered. Who do you believe would benefit the most from it?
- You also have a gut feeling that the funding from the bill will only last so long. Why do you think it’s difficult trying to find a long-term solution with this?
- You’ve also questioned the mental health representative portion of this bill, thinking that they may not be as effective as a uniformed officer. Do you think the mental health should be given some sort of overhaul, perhaps to assist the officers with handling situations themselves? Or perhaps another approach?
- You’ve also noted that certain conditions are noted on the bill, particularly PTSD. What else do you believe should be addressed to help officers out?
- What about equipment? Do you think more details should have been provided specifically for what will be provided to officers? Like the vests you provide through InVest USA?
- You seem to agree with the “cold cases” portion of the bill. Do you think this will allow for more cases to be resolved? Or does it depend on how the money is spent?
- Tell us more about InVest USA, and what this organization does to protect police officers. Does this also extend to Border Patrol agents?
- Where can we learn more about In-Vest USA, and how people can make contributions 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.
