National decline in the integrity of those who would uphold the law

YOUR story (‘Victory for transparency – sacked officer is named,’ November 17), which reported on an Avon & Somerset police officer whose gross misconduct led to his instant dismissal, is archetypal of a national decline in the integrity of those who would purport to uphold law and order.

Indeed, although the A&SP are not yet in special measures, their current abysmal performances surely indicate they are part of what The Sunday Times (November 13) described as ‘the toxic blue line.’

Bristol Post’s original front page headline (‘Rogue officers should not be protected,’ November 14) was premised on the A&SP’s refusal to name the rogue police officer, whose serious failings led to his sacking. This decision was sanctioned by the Chief Constable, Sarah Crew. It might benefit Ms Crew to reflect on the fact that she is not only answerable to the questionable machinations of her own organisation but more importantly the taxpayers who pay her to uphold the laws of this country as defined by parliament.

Many years ago I can recall someone telling me that recruits on police training centres (circa 1965) had smart uniforms. These were instrumental in inspiring confidence in members of the public based on the dictum that to be efficient you had to look efficient.

Fast forward over half a century and todays ragtag and bobtail officers would not disgrace some scarecrows! The smart uniforms of yore used to reflect the majesty and respect of what then was called the Queen’s Peace.

Ms Crew’s refusal to name this disgraced officer is presumably based on her fear that her organisation might have similar miscreant police disciplinary skeletons in the cupboard, which could well continue to expose her inability to recruit those without criminal convictions.

Thankfully the Bristol Post challenged Ms Crew’s protective silence relating to disgraced officers. Namely that: “Every time an officer accused of misconduct has their identity wrongly protected, we will call you out. We will do this until this murky practice of granting dodgy coppers anonymity ends. It is in the public interest.”

I wholeheartedly agree, and belatedly the A&SP heeded the Bristol Post’s concerns and identified the dismissed officer as PC Kevin Curd.

R L Smith

Knowle