Day of Police Scotland has now arrived

Sir, - I note that Police Scotland is again in the news and under attack (September 24) for being still in existence as an entity.

My own views are possibly as valid as some of those who have used your pages over these past few months and are that the creation of Police Scotland seemed to me to be inevitable and timely.

I was a police officer, for just over 30 years, having joined the original Perthshire and Kinrossshire Constabulary in 1961, thereafter by amalgamation being a member of the Perth and Kinross Constabulary (Shire and City) and in 1975 again by amalgamation, Tayside Police.

In my view, all of these forces performed their duties well and creditably, but amalgamated they were, for among other things, economy of scale.

The article reports a call for a return to regional policing but something very similar happens under Police Scotland, except that instead of eight chief constables, we now have one.

It is difficult for me to compare the challenges of a present-day police officer, with my own times. I am aware, of course, of the massive rise in the use of illegal substances, although they were in common use by the time I ended my service and had to be countered.

Additionally, child abuse and domestic disturbance have a much higher profile and I realise that more resources will have to be deployed to these so that other areas will probably be left somewhat short.

I have to say that one of the main differences between then and now is that I feel that during my own service days the police did not have to endure the level of almost malicious complaint from some quarters that is the order of the day now.

For myself, I think that Police Scotland is an organisation whose day has come and I wish it well. David MacDougall. 40 Willowbank, Little Dunkeld.

Association. Picture: Press Recruits passing out from Tulliallan police college.