THANK goodness someone else, advocate Richard NM Anderson (Letters, November 28), who I am sure will be regarded as discerning, informed and apolitical, has highlighted one of the dangers resulting from the creation of a single police service.
Prior to this comments made relating to the establishment and performance of Police Scotland have come only from concerned citizens and, I suspect, retired officers.
Although Mr Anderson’s letter highlighted the extremely important and difficult issue of a single police service investigating the alleged wrongdoings of its own senior officers I would opine, as I have expressed in several letters, that additionally there are many other pitfalls in the centralisation of power and influence of a service which has always prided itself in local accountability and delivery of service and freedom from political interference.
Although reassurances will be given about how the local issues are still being effectively delivered, in reality the centre will often bring its own agenda/policies to bear, just recall some previous centrally driven policies which were met with disbelief.
Reading the Scottish Police Authority framework document reveals just how politicised and centrally controlled the police service in Scotland has become and how difficult it must be for the Chief Constable to resist political interference and retain his/her operational independence.
Calling for the Justice Minister to get a grip of Police Scotland only amplifies the current acceptable level of politicalisation.
You could write reams on why the broadly politically supported decision to create Police Scotland was wrong but that’s history, now is the time for the Government to prove its worth and put things right.
W MacIntyre,
32 Dunlin,
East Kilbride.
REGARDING John Martin's letter (November 29) in criticism of Richard Anderson's contribution, Mr Anderson did not state that a one-force Police Scotland is operationally incapable. He did clearly present a sound case for the distinct Scottish police forces, namely Northern, Central and Southern. Considering the internal mayhem which has beset Police Scotland's hierarchy since its inception, particularly in recent weeks, it would seem some swift refining of Police Scotland is required.
Not only the general public, but in particular a bewildered police rank and file, would welcome such action.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.
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