Veteran law enforcement officer Michael Letts is sounding the alarm on a national crisis: America’s police officers are leaving the profession in record numbers—and those who remain are more vulnerable and less supported than ever.
With over 32 years of experience in local, state, and federal law enforcement, Letts has witnessed firsthand the decline in morale and resources across police departments nationwide.
“When President Biden took office, there were approximately 1.4 million sworn officers in the U.S.,” Letts said during a recent episode as a guest on “The Bryce Eddy Show.”
“Today, that number has plummeted to 700,000. We’re not just understaffed—we’re facing a national security emergency,” Letts explained to Eddy.
The founder and CEO of InVestUSA, a nonprofit organization that provides free bulletproof vests to officers, Letts is working to bridge the gap between rising threats and dwindling support. His organization now focuses on distributing advanced active shooter vests equipped with titanium plates—essential protection against increasingly well-armed criminals, including drug cartels and traffickers.
Letts says the problem goes beyond equipment. He points to a growing culture of political interference and public distrust that has left officers hesitant to engage.
“When officers are more afraid of lawsuits and media backlash than of the criminals they face, it’s no wonder morale is at an all-time low,” he has said.
The challenges officers face today are unprecedented. Beyond physical danger, they are also experiencing the highest suicide rates in law enforcement history. Many are counting down the days to retirement or leaving the job altogether—some forfeiting pensions just to escape the toxic environment.
“We’re asking officers to do a job no one else wants to do, facing the worst of society every day—and we don’t even give them the support or equipment they need to survive. That’s not just a failure of leadership—it’s a stain on our national conscience,” Letts shared with Eddy.
According to Letts, the solution begins with community support, proper training, and protective equipment. Through InVestUSA, he continues to advocate for these critical needs while working closely with agencies to shift public perception and restore dignity to the profession.
Letts encourages Americans to take action—whether by donating to his organization or simply expressing gratitude to the officers they encounter.
“We ask these men and women to do what no one else wants to do—face danger daily, often without thanks or backup,” he says. “It’s time we show them they’re not alone.”
As Letts sees it, the consequences could be catastrophic if the nation fails to reverse course soon.
“You can’t have law and order without those willing to enforce it,” he warns. “And right now, we’re running out of people willing to serve.”
Watch the full episode featuring Letts on “The Bryce Eddy Show.”
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Michael Letts is the author of Truth, Lies and Control: Finding Hope in an Upside-Down World. Order your copy on Amazon today!
To learn more about Michael Letts, go to michaelletts.us, and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts by clicking HERE.
