BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott will be U.S. Rep. Susan Wild’s guest for Tuesday's State of the Union address.
Traditionally, lawmakers bring guests to Washington for the presidential address. Due to the pandemic, this year guests will appear only virtually, according to reports.
Wild (D-Lehigh Valley) said she invited Kott as her “hometown hero” and virtual guest because she is an inspiration to young girls who are looking to explore careers in law enforcement.
Kott, a wife and mother of two, is the first female chief in the Bethlehem Police Department. She has served with the department since 2004.
“[Kott] has met the challenges of our community with empathy and compassion and has worked tirelessly to connect the police force to the people they protect,” Wild said.
President Biden is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address at 9 p.m.
At a virtual news conference held before the event, Kott said her focus as the head of the department is to make mental health services in the city more fair and equitable.
She said she wants officers to work swiftly to get people resources they need.
“Having some type of programming to make it a holistic approach, to make sure that if someone has an interaction with law enforcement, they’re able to be connected to county or community resources in a timely manner,” said Kott.
Kott says first responders also need more mental health assistance, and she said they sometimes face a stigma around getting help.
