Police must do their job

The oath sworn by all police officers is crystal-clear. They promise to enforce the law without fear or favour. Unless, it seems, you happen to be the Muslim police officer in London who refused to guard the Israeli embassy because he felt “uncomfortable and unsafe”.

The Metropolitan Police clearly regard this incident as a private welfare issue.

It is no such thing. It is the tip of an iceberg which, if allowed to grow, could demolish the founding principles of policing in England.

In a wiser age this Pc would have been told either to get on with the job or hand in his uniform and resign.

For if an officer has objections to guarding a particular foreign power, how can he be trusted to deal even-handedly with racial minorities or members of other religions?

The famous statue of Justice above the Old Bailey is blindfolded for good reason. It signifies that everyone is equal before English law.

This officer took a different view. He believed his own feelings were more important than his oath.

He was not prepared to guard Jews, as represented by the officials and employees of the Israeli embassy.

Astonishingly, his superiors supported him in his prejudice and removed him from this duty.

If this were an isolated example of police officers picking and choosing their duties it would be worrying enough. But it raises the suspicion that religious or social opting-out may be normal practice. If so, it must be stamped out immediately. Otherwise it is only a short step to having Muslim police officers for Muslim areas or Sikhs patrolling Sikh neighbourhoods.

A tolerant society cannot tolerate such practices.

At the heart of English justice are the bobbies in blue, men and women who put on the uniform and leave their prejudices behind to serve the public, regardless of our race, colour or creed.

If bobbies will not do the job they should be shown the door.

 

 

Please light up our lives again

No Christmas lights in Leonard Road? It is unthinkable.

The annual blaze of festive illuminations in Stourbridge has become a Black Country icon and a national treasure.

But some residents have moved and a spat with street traders last year caused bitterness.

It seems Leonard Road folk have not even discussed staging a display for this year.

We urge them to get on with it. The light show has been running for a decade, is a joy to behold and has raised £100,000 for leukaemia sufferers.

Christmas won’t be Christmas without it. Don’t let us down, Leonard Road.

 

Popular stories:

This article posted on October 5, 2006 at 5:18 pm.
Thousands of fantastic holidays to choose from!
Grand Theatre
my dating