Too much for one (From York Press)

Too much for one

10:15am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Letters By Readers' letters

IN ANSWER to your headline in the letters page of October 27 – Will police bosses be fit for the role? – the answer without a shadow of doubt is no.

I had the privilege to be appointed to the police authority for four years. I was delighted to use my professional skills in an environment where everyone’s skills were utilised, appreciated and devoted to transparency, accountability and efficiency in the running of one of the most important areas of public service.

It was also an area where politics took second place to the real work.

The 17 members of the authority were a mixture of elected political representatives and appointed suitably qualified persons. During my period we had magistrates, solicitors, teachers and retired police officers.

There is no way that any one individual could acquire the depth of knowledge to maintain the accountability and input to the performance/service of the police force as was the case under an active representative police authority.

The addition of a political appointment to the role of PCC just adds fuel to the flames and will make a difficult situation impossible.

Liz Edge, Parkside Close, York.

• YOU KINDLY published a letter from me recently urging voters to vote for the independent candidate in the forthcoming North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner election.

Unfortunately, my worst fears have come true as there is no independent candidate because the hurdles were set too high.

We have a choice of either a Labour or Conservative-sponsored candidate and, regardless of who is elected, they will undoubtedly try to impose their political will over the unfortunate chief constable. Our police force has been politically blind for over 180 years and this is now at risk.

May I therefore doubly urge voters to think carefully before voting and either refuse to vote or spoil your ballot paper as means of showing your rejection of this politically inspired circus.

Neil Raw, Oriel Grove, Clifton Without, York.