Single police force was inevitable, considering the size of our country

Wednesday 21 November 2012

I refer to Harry Reid's column ("A single force could lose the local touch", The Herald, November 20).

Custom byline text:

I believe his fears arising from the creation of a national police force are exaggerated.

Let us consider another small country with history and traditions not unfamiliar to us in many respects and with a population not dissimilar to our own: New Zealand. I am not aware of claims New Zealand has assumed the form of some kind of police state.

The New Zealand Police is a department with 11,000 staff. It is also worth pointing out that the national organisation is divided into 12 districts and, as a result, local input and involvement have a significant role to play.Most people would concede there are at present too many police forces in Scotland for a country of its size with an excessive number of higher-ranking officers. It was inevitable, in my view, that steps would be taken to address that situation. Clearly there are those, some with vested interests and some without, who have been opposed to these moves. In my opinion, the predictions that some kind of future we should be apprehensive of are overdone.Ian W Thomson,38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.WHILE I agree with the concerns of Harry Reid regarding the future of policing in Scotland, I must point out that Stephen House demitted office as Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police four months ago when he was appointed by the Scottish Government to head the new single Scottish police force whose commencement date is April 1, 2013. Until then Campbell Corrigan will hold the post of acting Chief Constable of Scotland's largest force.Originally it was reported there would be 32 divisions (doubtless with 32 Commanders) operating within the boundaries of Scotland's 32 unitary authorities. Now we learn there will be 14 divisions whereby 18 councils will not enjoy the luxury of a dedicated divisional force. Only time will tell if this one force, one chief political appointment and the attendant upheaval and redeployment, will benefit Scotland's diverse and distinctly different communities. I doubt it.Allan C Steele, 22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.

Contextual targeting label:

Local government

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Single police force was inevitable, considering the size of our country

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED