Catch Them While They're Young (LBD v, ToC xii)

Yesterday's issue of the Daily Telegraph contained this barely credible report of destructively counter-productive and unbelievably crass policing. Gruff remembers the days when individual police officers were not just allowed to use their discretion but required to do so, by the demands of the job as much as their superiors. The knowledge that they could and would was essential to the contract between the police and society that underpinned law and order and the arrival of a police officer reassured all but those breaking the law. It seems that those days are rapidly fading into the past.

Reports such as that above are becoming so commonplace that it is now difficult not to question the calibre of some of those who are being recruited into (what we must not forget are) our police forces, and it is not unreasonable to do so. Nor, given that politically correct lightweights like Richard Brunstrom and Sir Ian Blair, amongst others, hold the most senior appointments in their respective forces, is it surprising: a police force run by sycophantic careerists for the benefit of their masters has no use for those who can think for themselves. Unquestioning and uncomplaining box tickers and target chasers, thirsting for an exciting opportunity to meet the challenge of policing in a vibrant and ever changing multicultural Br*tain of the nations and regions, will satisfy the lamentably debased role outlined in the 'job description'. Ministerial briefings will be considerably easier, and the honours much more certain, but the bond between society and those of its members who are trusted to police it intelligently, and generally wish to do so, will be strained just a little further.

One need only look at videos of foreign police officers in action to be reminded that, like our armed forces, our police forces are still world class but, increasingly, the unwonted interference of incompetent bureaucrats and morally and ideologically corrupt politicians leaves them looking foolish. The police are paid to do as they are told and can do little about that but they deserve better, and so do we. It is up to us to stop the madness.