IN response to D Allen's letter ('Council tax trickery', March 19), North Yorkshire Police produce detailed financial reports for the Police Authority and within these public papers there is a clear explanation of how much is allocated for pension provision.

The police pension is not a funded scheme, so there is no large pot of money set aside.

Throughout their service, officers pay 11 per cent of their salary into the pension scheme and this provides for the present pensions being paid to retired policemen and women.

This is in line with how successive governments have approved the police pension arrangements.

The police have had peaks in recruitment created by governments as occurred in 1978 which means that, in 2008, our pension provision will have to be even greater.

Those of us in public service who strive to provide a quality service to the community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for 30 years deserve a decent pension.

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick,

York Police,

Fulford Road, York.

Updated: 12:00 Wednesday, March 24, 2004