Are our police officers a bunch of scruffs?

AS AN ex-military policeman, it almost brings me to tears to see some of our socalled finest on the streets. Being smartly turned out immediately gives the officer greater respect and confidence in their dealings with the good, bad and evil. For the most part today we see scruffy, baggy denim-style trousers, always several inches too long, boots that have never seen polish, misshapen hats, untidy hair and unshaven faces (or is that designer stubble?) How squaddies trembled when they were approached by an immaculately turned out Redcap. Ask a Guardsman how superior he feels when fully booted and spurred, wearing his No 1 dress. Whatever happened to the pre-duty parade and the ‘Produce appointments!’ call from the sergeant?

DEREK TAYLOR, Chester. I IMAGINE the Chief Police Commissioner and the new Police and Crime Commissioner of Manchester won’t have been pleased with the pictures of the constables outside Old Trafford (Mail). All were in such a dishevelled state I assumed they must have been sent there at short notice from the night shift to attend the false bomb incident. Like most modern police officers now, attired in high-viz jackets, with all their accessories, they look like forlorn Christmas trees. Gone are the days when the public would recognise a policeman by his smart uniform. They might as well have had their hands in their pockets.

TONY SATCHELL, Bicester, Oxon. MY SON is a serving officer in the Met. He reports for duty with pressed trousers, polished boots, clean shirt etc. After doing his shift, ten hours if he’s lucky but normally more, and after grappling with burglars, drug addicts, muggers etc, being spat at and often blood-stained, I agree he might look a bit dishevelled. As they’re paid to uphold the law, and not to be walking models, I think most of us would allow our police officers a bit of leeway where their uniforms and ‘beards’ are concerned. I would like to thank the often-maligned police forces around the country for their work and dedication.

Name and address supplied.