People want to see officers on patrol in their community
Policing is clearly a vital service and one most people won’t want to use. But if they do have cause to call upon the service, they want a swift and positive response.
The value of local policing cannot be underestimated.
There is nothing wrong with the existing single service model – it is appropriate that the likes of organised crime and human trafficking are dealt with at a strategic level.
That is not the things people encounter day-to-day, though. They want to see officers on patrol, in uniform, in their community.
Policing has become a very hot topic but in my dealings with the public I still encounter warmth and affection for bobbies.
As someone who has policed both urban and rural areas, people aren’t interested in terms such as “community planning partnerships”.
If something goes wrong, they want to know the police, fire and ambulance services are going to be available.
All policing is local and I would hope to see a very clear understanding that communities get the policing they want.
Often, many of the debates are around buildings and counter opening times. What the public should get is a police service.
That may not always require a building as we know the service is changing and most communication now comes via phone or email, but the concerns of the most vulnerable require response across public services.
I would also encourage councillors to assert themselves. I haven’t met a single officer yet who is adverse to being scrutinised about their area.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t have national campaigns around the likes of drinkdriving but, outwith that, the local policing model should be determined by the local divisional commander.
There’s no reason why anyone in Tulliallan, Edinburgh or Glasgow should be directing that.