No-dive policy for police officers?

The police are certainly to be congratulated on their rescue of a man from the Medway at Maidstone (KM July 15), but I am somewhat bemused by the statement of PC Michael Baker that “diving into rivers isn’t really part of our job description”.

Not so long ago, all recruits to the police were trained in life-saving techniques and were expected to qualify for RLSS awards, up to Award of Merit. It might therefore be said that “diving into rivers” was a tacit, if not explicit, part of their job description.

But perhaps times have changed. Roy Ingleton Cranborne Avenue, Maidstone

The rescue operation by the River Medway at Maidstone