Keep politics out of police service

I READ with trepidation the article titled “Detectives to face ‘value for money’ tests” (News, 10 February), where the sabre-rattling by Iain Whyte, chairman of the Lothian and Borders Joint Police Board, who is also a member of the Scottish Police Authority, should send a shrill warning of the impending attack on and threat to the operational independence of the Scottish police force. In the article, Mr Whyte presents a clear and unashamed statement of intent to exercise excessive and increased political control and interference.

For someone holding a crucial position on an existing police board, Mr Whyte demonstrates an astounding level of ignorance in relation to the investigation of serious crime. He suggests that the 
police recklessly “charge about” starting murder investigations, presumably in his view unnecessarily. Senior investigating officers have 
always been required to balance resources and costs associated with any investigation with public interest and legal and statutory requirements.

He says murder could be investigated by a different, more effective method, as opposed to utilising ­police resources. Hercule Poirot, perhaps?

Mr Whyte cites recent issues within the NHS as an example to justify proposed interference by the SPA in police operational matters. Yet the tragic outcome for the NHS is a perfect example of the danger of political interference at operational level, where bungling, self-serving bureaucrats further their careers in a host of invented administrative posts, diverting funds and resources, starving frontline services 
that they are unqualified to manage, far less understand, all in an effort to appease their political paymasters.

I think Mr Whyte has leaked the real agenda, and perhaps the proposed greater scrutiny should not be restricted to the efficiency of the new Scottish police service alone. The eventual running costs and budget set aside for the SPA might make interesting reading.

Alan Gilmour, Edinburgh