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Seattle Has a New Policy On Police Ruses, But Is Now the Best Time To Implement It? November 5, 2023 by Jerry McGlothlin

Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts discusses the controversial new policy, and why the city isn’t doing more on its growing crime rate.

At a time when the city’s crime rate seems to be steadily growing, Seattle is implementing a new policy that prevents its police officers from what it deems “ruses.”

According to this article from Fox News, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is set to put the policy into effect this week, forcing officers to hold off on how they use tactics against people in public.

Harrell cited two examples of “ruses” gone wrong, including the suicide of a citizen following a hit-and-run case and an incident involving “armed” members of the Proud Boys during a Protest in 2020.

With the new policy, officers have to be cautious in how to use “ruses,” which are now limited to five particular scenarios. They also prohibit any kind of use over radio and social media.

But the real question is how effective this policy will be in allowing police officers to do their job – especially at a time when criminal activity is so high.

Joining us now to discuss the matter further is Michael Letts, a law enforcement veteran with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Letts is Founder, President and CEO of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. His expertise will certainly prove useful with this subject.

Q&A:

  1. Tell us how “ruses” can actually be useful to police officers.
  2. Do you think that Harrell pointing out two bad examples of “ruses,” compared to the other times they were used effectively, is a lapse of judgment in putting together this policy?
  3. What do you think happened with the two “ruses” that Harrell pointed out? Was there a better way to go about those situations?
  4. Why would Harrell introduce this policy now, when police morale is at an all-time low with the city’s increase in criminal activity?
  5. Could other states possibly implement this “ruse” policy? Or could it be enough of a disaster that they likely won’t go near it?
  6. You believe that Harrell would be better off implementing a policy to hire more officers to slow the growing crime rate, rather than limiting the ones currently on the force, correct? Why would this be better?
  7. 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.
  8. Tell us more about the Restoring Justice website you’re working with right now.
    1. You can also learn about my new initiative at RestoringJustice.US, where we discuss lawful issues surrounding citizens of the United States.
  9. Where can we learn more about InVest USA, and how those interested can help their fellow officers.
  10. You can visit our official InVest USA website.

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.

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