Fine words, bravo! But do they really mean anything?

IN the words of Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford (Bristol Post, March 17): “Avon and Somerset Police must continue to demonstrate that misconduct will not be tolerated... Chief Constable Sarah Crew and I agree that officers and staff who think misogyny, sexism and misconduct are acceptable, and ultimately, betray the force’s values, will be dealt with swiftly and dynamically.”

Fine words. Bravo! I could not agree more. But do they mean anything?

Another quote from the Guardian’s front page (March 17): “Britain’s largest police force (The Met) is riddled with deep-seated racism, sexism and homophobia and has failed to change despite numerous reviews urging it to do so (my highlighting), an official report (the Casey Report) will say.”

All too often after an official Public Enquiry report, an apologist for the organisation being investigated, at great cost to the public purse, states that the organisation accepts the report and acknowledges its failings and will learn lessons from this – but nothing actually happens.

On television recently the chair of a public enquiry, which took place years ago, was complaining bitterly that none of the vital recommendations for reform had been implemented.

Whether it is national government or local government the safety of a country’s citizens is its most important priority.

If this cannot be guaranteed, all other aspects of civilised life are adversely affected and people will suffer injustice. My late elder brother, a Bristol policeman, would be turning in his grave at the state of modern-day policing.

Gil Osman