POLICE morale low, says Lord Stevens, ex-Metropolitan Police Commissioner in a leaked report – originally commissioned by the Labour Party.
Morale should be low. The Labour movement has worked hard to achieve that for decades. After the Second World War, Labour politicians brought about the demise of Chief Constables Popkis and Parrish in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
All is not yet lost as there are still a lot of first-class bobbies. But they need urgent help and support. The newly-elected police crime commissioners may assist. However, as they will have the final say on the budget, it is they who are in command. This makes them as vulnerable to political intrigue as every chief constable has been since the end of the miners' strike.
The civil authorities must remember their responsibility preserving the Queen's Peace and stop fumbling with fripperies.
Alan McCormick
Penn Street
Belper