ONE of the few chief constables to speak out publicly against the amalgamation of police forces is Paul West of West Mercia.

Surely more chief officers see the folly of the propositions.

West Mercia was formed in 1967 under the then amalgamations which were forced upon the service with no opportunity to object. Nevertheless, officers of every rank worked day and night to create a police force which would serve the needs of the local population in an efficient and sympathetic manner.

The Police Authority, comprised of local men and women, provided the finance and generous support; the Home Office skimped where they could. The result was a proud and happy force, well equipped and in its earliest days in 1967 was 'second to none' and remains so today.

The most important people are those at the sharp end but they need a chief to lay down the rules and policies and to whom they know and can rely upon, likewise the local population. The new lines of communication would be too long and the senior officers too remote to have much knowledge or influence on the lives and welfare of the personnel or indeed knowledge of local affairs.

In my day we stood our ground and fought our corner to provide the best for our personnel and the public at large. Do not be trampled upon for a political whim.

Alex A Rennie

Retired as Chief Constable

of West Mercia in 1981