Police under Watch Committee
Many are calling for more legislation. May I suggest we already have adequate traffic laws, all we need is someone to enforce them.
I read with great interest your editorial comment on November 22 in which you refer to gimmicks being no substitute for traffic police, and the response of Jon Pritchard (December 14) and Jim Andrews (December 21) in which they agree with your views.
The comment column on January 2, in which you suggest that a tightening of driving laws is badly needed, touches on the same subject.
Many are calling for more legislation. May I suggest we already have adequate traffic laws, all we need is someone to enforce them.
We now have a prominent businessman, Mr Chris Kelly, the son of an "old type" bobby, making some valid points in respect of the way the police are governed today.
I joined Wolverhampton Borough Police is 1946 and was proud to serve in the period Chris refers to, when we had a Chief Constable who lived in the town and, with the support of the Watch Committee, ran a very efficient force. Most members of the committee were were well respected professionals who proved they could run a highly successful business and were prepared to give valuable time for the good of the town.
Members of the public were well served by the force and knew they could always call at Red Lion Street and be dealt with efficiently by the desk sergeant.
The common expression "We haven't got enough resources" was never used.
If resources were needed in those days the Chief Constable, with the backing of the Watch Committee and Home Office, soon rectified the matter.
With the current financial state of the country, will the police ever get the resources they desperately need?
Joe Davis, Retired Superintendent, Traffic Division, Henwood Road, Compton.
