Crisis in policing

Having read Kenny Macaskill’s article “For all its problems, Police Scotland was a good idea – just look at cuts in England”, (30 November), I have to say it is utter hogwash.

It was on his watch that Police Scotland was formed, and for him to say that this was necessary is being disingenuous in the extreme. That reform was required is accepted by most people who have any knowledge of policing, but to suggest that a single service was the best and most appropriate model for policing Scotland is wrong.

Mr Macaskill suggests that the single service model was the best way to provide an integrated service across Scotland and to save money. The evidence thus far points to the contrary: we do not have an integrated service providing an equal service to all parts of Scotland. We have a thoroughly disjointed service which is failing many parts of our country.

Might I suggest the principal reason the single service model was chosen was to provide a fig leaf to the SNP government of the day as they sought to gain control over policing.

The abject failure of the Scottish Police Authority is the responsibility of the Scottish Government and no one else; it is they, through the Justice Minister, who make the relevant appointments.

Clearly they choose someone who will do their bidding. One of the key roles of the SPA is to oversee the way Police Scotland is run, including its performance. Key appointments to the senior levels of the service are another important area; it is clear that in this they have failed.

For the first chief constable to retire early is unfortunate, for the second to be under investigation is doubly unfortunate and for an assistant chief constable to be suspended is disastrous. There is something clearly not right within the SPA, their selection processes and the culture that the single service engenders.

Michael Matheson, the current Justice Minister, seems to be in denial regarding the calamity that has befallen Police Scotland.

There are many good officers who are crying out to be led by competent senior officers with the skills to ensure that policing is delivered to the highest standards, and there are officers within the existing ranks that are capable of doing so.

However, they must be freed from the shackles that bind them. This means that politicians must not interfere in the selection of senior officers and allow the SPA the freedom to select chief officers according to their experience and ability rather than select someone chosen for their desire to bend to political pressure.

L. W. TURNBULL Edderston Road, Peebles