HowdidSOCU,armyofficers getitsowrong?

I refer to the editorial ‘SOCU and the military’ ( January 10). I would like to point out that Lt-Col Sydney James is in an interesting position.

Thirty-four years in the army does not necessarily qualify one for a position of Assistant Police Commissioner, and Mr James would have been trained in GDF procedures not police procedures. If it is the case he is not qualified in police-style operations, then he should not be the head of SOCU.

This does not explain why the plain clothes officers (army or police, I do not know which one) from SOCU got it so wrong in staking out the wrong house, the wrong car and the wrong person. How long was the stakeout in place before the horrific accident involving Sergeant Pyle and others who died on 30th December, 2015?