Denver's Low-Level Traffic Stop Ban: A 'Good Thing' for Criminals, Warns Veteran Law Enforcement Officer

Aiyana Willms Jr.
August 26, 2024 11:04am
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A former law enforcement officer with 30 years of experience has raised concerns over a new directive from the Denver Police Department that prohibits officers from pulling over drivers for minor traffic infractions.

Former law enforcement officer and founder of InVest USA, Michael Letts, has expressed alarm over a recent directive from the Denver Police Department (DPD) that forbids officers from pulling over drivers for low-level traffic stops, such as broken taillights or expired tags.

Letts believes this move will have dire consequences for law enforcement and public safety. "It's a good thing for criminals," he said. "This means that they can get away with a lot more."

Denver's Low-Level Traffic Stop Ban: A 'Good Thing' for Criminals, Warns Veteran Law Enforcement Officer

The veteran officer emphasizes the crucial role that low-level traffic stops play in deterring crime and apprehending criminals. "Many states initiate low-level traffic stops for a number of reasons," he said. "They can sometimes expose bigger problems."

Letts attributes Denver's decision to remove low-level traffic stops to hiring and retention issues within the police department. "They don't pay them anything to begin with," he said. "We have difficulty providing the kind of salaries that they need."

Denver's Low-Level Traffic Stop Ban: A 'Good Thing' for Criminals, Warns Veteran Law Enforcement Officer

However, he believes the department is overlooking the underlying reasons for the recruitment and retention problems. "The real issue is that they don't address the real issue, which is that they don't pay them anything," he said.

Letts also criticizes the lack of input from law enforcement in the development of the new directive. "So, do they run it through law enforcement first? No, they're the ones that know best, and they're the politicians," he said.

Denver's Low-Level Traffic Stop Ban: A 'Good Thing' for Criminals, Warns Veteran Law Enforcement Officer

The veteran officer warns that this ban diminishes the respect and trust that Denver police will do their job. "The message that they are sending to law enforcement is that they don't respect your ability to do the job and I don't think that you know how to help deter crime," he said.

Letts believes the directive will lead to a surge in crime and cause even more officers to leave the force. "This is happening all over the country, and it's quite shocking, where officers who have worked for 18 years are walking away because they feel like they can't do the job," he said.