I suppose there`s a good case to answer insofar as police and Police Crime Commissioners is the group of public sector workers most often in the public eye. That being the case one would have thought that in the light of past behavioural, disciplinary and procedural problems members of those bodies would ensure for their own employment prospects that their actions were acceptable to inquisitive public scrutiny. One would have been wrong. Following are a just a few very recent cases reported this month where it is hard to believe that some individuals consider themselves perhaps not above the law but certainly above scrutiny.
In Worcestershire a Police and Crime commissioner does a deal which certainly was and is worthy of investigation.
In Wiltshire a PCC is under scrutiny for his handling of the job.
In the West Midlands a police officer`s remarks whilst wearing a body camera are so outrageous it`s hard to believe he was accepted as being suitable for his job.
In Leicestershire four police officers are sacked after a prolonged investigation into profoundly un police officer like remarks made in WhatsApp exchanges.
These examples are not those of so called political correctness. They go to the heart of what is just totally unacceptable as far as police are concerned. With regard to the Police and Crime Commissioners they are just the latest in a long line since the office was created a few years ago. When such people have the power to hire and fire Chief Constables their history, credentials, behaviour, actions and remarks must be equal to the highest standards expected of those in public office. How these two can remain in position escapes me. One thing for sure as a result of their misdeeds real and apparent and those of dozens of other PCCs is that a democratic vote isn`t necessarily the best way to fit the correct individuals in high public office.
Democratic vote? The only people who bothered to turn out to vote for these PCC work shy glory-seekers were the middle classes and those with a vested interest in the criminal justice system. Nobody else cared or could be bothered because they knew it would make not one jot of difference to the quality of service the police provide. And what do you suggest as an alternative to the 'democratic system'. The same sort of plutocracy that selects magistrates no doubt: well heeled, all white and middle class.
ReplyDeleteI also heard those "outrageous" remarks you claim (with your equally outrageous response) are deserving of a police officer's sacking. It was clear to me that that the officer's remark was nothing more than a poor attempt at irony that the police are universally renowned for shooting black males. Despite the fact the person on the receiving end of the comment took no offence, there has been an army of armchair liberals - such as yourself- who have taken offence for him. Utter hypocrisy on your part considering the years you no doubt spent at the bench tossing people like him in jail off the back of no other evidence but the sacred word of a police officer.
When was the last time you saw a black, working class male magistrate I wonder?
Rob Warner
Crimebodge.com