THE appointment of Chief Constable Cannings was purely political. She has done a very good job of promoting the need for a massive increase in the police precept for council taxpayers.

She has, during the past few weeks, come out with all the accepted jargon; necessary these days to 'get on'.

Look at her remarks in the Evening Press (Monday, February 10): "I want to make sure that I drive the force forward", "... we need platforms to make that happen."

Yes, she can "talk the talk" as they say but the public are more interested in seeing more policemen "walking the walk" and bringing law and order to our streets.

Is this Della Cannings' last appointment before retirement? Perhaps she retires in 2008 when police pensions peak.

Sorry for the cynicism but we have been promised so much during the past few years by various chief constables and nothing much has happened.

I think they have since retired.

A L Rowntree,

Walmer Carr,

Wigginton,

York.

...LIKE Mr. Banyard (February 12) I too have two requests for Chief Constable Della Cannings:

1. The call centre must be able to get through to the relevant station.

Last time I tried to get through to Fulford my call transferred back to the call centre three times.

They ended up taking the details so they could be passed on.

2. The price of a stamp be given to Inspector Fowler so he can reply to my letter of August last year about a break-in at my property.

Paul Gledhill,

Acomb Wood Close,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 11:29 Friday, February 14, 2003