Police chief should not be playing politics

Sir, – Further to your report about Police Scotland and hate crime (“‘No further action’ on anti-hate complaint”, Courier, October 31), perhaps I could be permitted to respond to Chief Superintendent, John McKenzie?

He suggests that he could not answer your questions because it would be “inappropriate” to respond to personal correspondence.

The police have made a public campaign which implies that hatred stems from “religious” people and those who preach sermons.

I have made a public response – my letter is public and the press are involved.

For Mr McKenzie not to comment when he is being accused of breaking his own rules on a matter of great public concern, is what is “inappropriate”.

Secondly there is no point in “welcoming” letters from the public if the police are just going to throw them in the bin or answer them with platitudes and inanities.

The fact is that it is their law which says that it is the perception of the “victim” that turns something into a hate incident.

So the question that the public need answered is why that law/principle only applies in some cases and why the police and government are exempt from their own laws?

My perception, and that of many others, is that their poster campaign was motivated (at least in part) by hatred of religion – or at least those religious views which contradict the doctrines of the state.

They are making a farce of the law and playing politics.

The police should get on with solving crimes not creating them.

Stop demonising and criminalising members of the public who disagree with the philosophy of the political elites and instead get on with the job of catching criminals.

David Robertson. St Peters Free Church, Dundee.