Crisis in policing
The time has surely come for SNP politicians to drop the pretence that all is well in Police Scotland.
In your edition of 15 Decemmacaskill ber there is an article providing details of an “assurance inspection” to be conducted regarding firing ranges used by Police Scotland amid claims they may have been used illegally. The suspension of Assistant Chief Constable Higgins and some other senior officers would appear to be connected to these concerns.
If there is any truth in these claims then the comments by the justice minister, Michael Matheson, and the new chair of the Scottish Police Authority sound rather hollow – each claims that there are no problems with Police Scotland and that policing continues. But how can the public have any faith that these individuals understand the nature and extent of the problems?
One of the main duties of the SPA is to hold the chief constable to account for the conduct of his force; clearly their ability to do so would appear to be compromised.
Susan Deacon says she takes issue with the notion that the police service is in crisis (The Scotsman, 4 December). Almost every day since the introduction of Police Scotland crisis has followed crisis, from stop and search issues and the use of firearms officers to the problems associated with control rooms – of which there have been many.
The management style of the first chief constable and the current difficulties associated with investigations into the latest chief constable and now one of his assistant chief constables illustrate very clearly that the crisis in policing extends to the very top of the organisation.
It is interesting that Kenny has warned the public that they should not expect the police to respond to minor crimes. This made headline news in The Scotsman on 11 December. That he is the former justice minister is no coincidence; he has also tried to defend the formation of Police Scotland.
Coupled with the current justice minister’s blandishments that there is no crisis in policing, this tends to suggest there is a concerted effort by SNP politicians to persuade us there is no crisis and that the pressure on resources is not their fault or responsibility.
L.W. TURNBULL Edderston Road, Peebles