I WAS intrigued to note the latest comment on Police Scotland ("Public opinion sought on new single police force," The Herald, November 4).
As I recall there was little public consultation prior to the advent of Police Scotland. Surely this latest exercise of consultation is purely academic. Analogies of "bolting stable doors" and "carts before horses" spring to mind.
Initially concerns were expressed by the Scottish Police Federation and senior police officer groups. I do not recall the resolution of these understandable points of disquiet being publicly explained. More importantly, politicians at both national and local level were unusually reticent in opposing the force restructure.
Police boards, which comprised locally elected politicians, are now disbanded. Yet another quango, the Scottish Police Authority comprising unelected Government appointees, now replaces the police boards. As more than 80% of police expenditure relates to wages, pensions and so on this can only be achieved by personnel reduction and therefore less public service. Consultation at this stage is premature. The true cost and effect will become starkly evident after the honeymoon period of seamless change has passed.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.
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