WHAT a frank and open letter the serving police officer from Northwich has written.

Perhaps unwittingly, this brave officer has, out of frustration or dedication to their job, given us what we have wanted to hear - but from their superintendent and especially their chief constable.

Our hearts go out to the ordinary police officer, such as the one that has written the letter.

It's the system you the officer have to work with that we are dissatisfied with. We are very much alert to your operational needs. We know, how many on average, you have on duty. You ask us to put ourselves out on patrol with you, to see how you operate. How you operate, is not in question, it's the inadequacy of it all that concerns us. We refer to your own words, "on average there are only three officers on any 10 hour shift, so how can we cover all these areas with equal commitment?"

Do you realise the enormity of what you have said? It goes to the very essence, of what we have been saying for about the last year. It doesn't really matter how committed those conscientious police officers are.

We the public tend, rightly or wrongly, to expect our police to be there when we need them, not if and when they become available.

The fault appears to lie with the superiors, whose attitude seems to be of placating their "masters" first, then expecting minor miracles from the dedicated police officers, like the writer.

One final thing, some of us have been up the "blunt end", and do empathise with a lot of what you have said. However, until we have not a few, but a lot more police officers, outside of Northwich, you can expect more letters from this group.

Incidentally, Barnton Hartford and Cuddington have now decided to combine forces. Hopefully to get more resources for the police officer.

CO-ORDINATOR

Residents' Action Group, Cuddington.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.