Discussions

Jeremy Dewitte is a polarizing figure in the law enforcement community. He is the founder and CEO of Metro-State Special Services, a company that provides funeral escorts, security services, and other services to clients in Central Florida. However, Dewitte has faced multiple legal challenges and accusations over the years that have put his business and his reputation in jeopardy.

Early Life and Career
Jeremy Dewitte was born in 1980 in Michigan and grew up in Florida. He attended Valencia College and studied Criminal Justice. He has also gone on to serving in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. After leaving the Navy, he started his career in law enforcement as a Reserve Deputy for the Orange County Sheriff's Office in 2004.
Dewitte founded Metro-State Special Services in 2007, which initially focused on funeral escorts. The company quickly expanded to provide other services, including security services, off-duty law enforcement services, and private investigation services. The company grew rapidly, and by 2016, it had more than 300 employees and contracts with multiple law enforcement agencies in Florida.

Controversies and Legal Troubles
Despite his success, Jeremy Dewitte has been involved in numerous legal controversies over the years. In 2009, he was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer after he pulled over an off-duty deputy in his Metro-State Special Services vehicle. The charges were dropped, but Dewitte faced similar accusations in 2010 and 2013.

In 2016, Dewitte was arrested and charged with multiple counts of impersonating a police officer and falsely imprisoning a person. According to the charges, Dewitte and his employees were conducting funeral escorts while wearing police-style uniforms and using police-style equipment, such as sirens and flashing lights. They allegedly pulled over drivers who failed to yield to their procession and detained them until the police arrived.
Dewitte was found guilty on all charges in 2019 and sentenced to 364 days in jail. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims and complete 120 hours of community service. Dewitte appealed the verdict, and his case is currently pending in the Fifth District Court of Appeals.

In addition to his legal troubles, Jeremy Dewitte has also faced criticism from other law enforcement agencies in Florida. In 2014, the Orlando Police Department issued a warning to its officers about working off-duty for Metro-State Special Services. The warning cited concerns about the company's uniforms, equipment, and tactics, and advised officers to be cautious when working with the company.

Dewitte has also faced criticism from the families of the deceased. In 2017, a video went viral of Dewitte berating a driver who failed to yield to his funeral procession. The driver, who was recording the incident, accused Dewitte of using intimidation tactics and exploiting grieving families for profit. The video sparked outrage on social media, and many people called for Dewitte to be held accountable for his actions.

Response to Criticism
Despite the legal troubles and criticisms, Jeremy Dewitte maintains that he is a legitimate business owner and law enforcement professional. He has claimed that his company provides a valuable service to the community and that he has always operated within the law.
Dewitte has also been vocal in his criticism of the media and his accusers. He has accused the media of bias and sensationalism and has claimed that his accusers are motivated by jealousy and a desire to bring him down.

Dewitte has also taken steps to defend his reputation and business. He has hired a public relations firm to handle his media relations and has launched a website and social media campaign to promote his company and its services.