By WHITNEE ICE
St. Joseph Post
With the “Defund the Police” movement having police across the country on the defense, local law enforcement teams are seeing the effects of the movement as well.
Sheriff Bill Puett says thankfully our community is unique in how they view law enforcement.
“I don’t think people around here don’t value law enforcement,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “They support law enforcement and you know they do those things; however, we see a national rhetoric that villainizes police.”
Law enforcement officials put their lives on the line every day and that is something Puett doesn’t take lightly.
“I ask people every day to go in harm's way to serve their community and that’s not lost on me,” says Puett. “That’s a heavy burden that I carry because I worry about all of our folks every day”
Puett says law enforcement officials are not paid enough for what they go through.
“They’re saying it’s just not worth it,” says Puett. “They’re throwing their hands up and for the pay and how they’re treated and the liability.”