It is refreshing to see David Cameron calling for a high-powered scrutineer of police.
I can think of no better person than former Chief Constable Geoffrey Dear.
Twenty years ago, he showed himself fearless and fair, willing to take the bull by the horns and get things done.
The latest fiasco is the TV libel payment of £50,000 plus costs, with our CPS forking out the same.
Needless to say, the hard-pressed ratepayers will foot the bill, and heads will not roll. Instead of persecuting honest, investigative journalism, our local police should have been prosecuting the hatemongers who are damaging community relations.
The average police officer on the beat (does that still happen?) must be disillusioned at the antics of senior officers, playing games rather than doing their job.
Some years ago (by knowing the right people), I got driven round a town in North Carolina, by the local deputy.
At 6ft 2in, immaculately dressed and remarkably polite, he was built like a barn door and a credit to their police. Needless to say, I would not pick on him.
His boss, the sheriff, a tad under 6ft with a build like Rod Steiger, was fair-minded, fearless but, unlike here, accountable. He was also celebrating his fourth term of office.
This leads me to say that if police want to meddle in politics, whether in accusations against a TV station or for that matter in so-called equal opportunities, as businessman Chris Kelly suggested, then maybe Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee should run for sheriff. On recent performance, he would not do a second term.
Meanwhile, youngsters who robbed a dying man were let off with a caution.
I thought I would never say this, but it is high time to bring back the birch.
The police have let us down again.
I am inclined to think the Chief Constable should be called Paul Scott Free, and his lawyer oppos, the Clown Prosecution Service.
Robert William White, Tompstone Road, Wigmore, West Bromwich.
8 Comments
I agree. The police won’t earn any respect cowering behing speed cameras and whining about their rights. What about ours? … te ones they’re paid to protect. If they don’t like the job, leave it to those who can do it… properly, with courage, competence and respect.
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Cameron can say what he likes whilst in opposition.
What he would actually do in Office is a completely different story.
You are falling for his spin and lies like a besotted teenager. Get real. He is a Tory.
Sam, if you think the police can’t do their job, why don’t you apply to be a bobby? If you think you can do a better job, then be my guest.
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I would not have there job. They deserve ever penny they get.
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Who’s a grumpy copper then Rebecca?
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The police do catch the criminals, its the government and the law lords and the courts that keep letting people off with crime. The police have all the powers they need to do the job in hand but dont have enough time to patrol the streets due to paperwork and red tape. If we had more prisons then we would have somewhere to put these criminals and re abilitate them properly. What we need is to stop playing about at party polatics and get some real decisions made about the state of crime in this country, Put the criminals away and make sure the time fits the crime. Oh ! and all you do gooders who dont believe in punishing the criminals then god forbid its your house that gets burgled next.
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My goodness Rebecca you really do dislike people, scathing sarcastic, but don’t off a articulate response to other people’s comments.
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I agree being a bobby in this day and age is hard enough. There is a general lack of respect and discipline and this needs to change.
I believe in ‘Zero Tolerance’ and if more prisons were built - without creature comforts there may actually be a deterrant. The people who critisise need to ask themselves “What am I doing to make a difference?”
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Last week, in Walsall town centre there were two young boys, about 8 years old cycling slowly along Bradford Street. I witnessed a Police Officer say to them “Oi, get off your bikes…” in a very aggressive manner. He then proceeded to publically humiliate them and talk to them in a very degrading manner. Is this how the Police punish criminals? These two young boys were harming nobody. The Police conveniently ignored the man slumped up a shop-front rolling a joint 5 feet away from them and pounced on two young boys riding their bikes. Crime of the century! How much respect for the Police will these two young boys grow up with?
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