***
The Police Commissioner cleared his throat as he prepared to give his briefing. All of his senior officers were present and bemused by the implied urgency of the call they had received that morning.
‘Gentlemen, thank you for coming. Since my promotion to Commissioner, I have had the opportunity to review what it is we are doing, how we are doing it and what effect we have had on the society we serve. I am pleased to say that riots, criminal activity and antisocial behaviour have almost been eradicated and that is a great credit to you all. What is to my great shame is the way some of our officers have abused their position of power. The general public no longer have faith in their police force and it is with deep embarrassment that I find we are not held in esteem, but we are despised. That is not entirely unexpected given the dysfunctional society we have had to deal with over the last 10 years or so. However, what is unforgivable has been our inability to change and recognise that the methods we used were no longer appropriate or acceptable for the people we were given the responsibility to serve.’
There were quiet mumblings here and there and an uncomfortable shuffling of feet as many of those present realised this was not a pat on the back but a serious reprimand. There was an air of disquiet.
Mark Slattery looked squarely into his audience’s eyes.
‘As of today, we will start a programme of change. I want each of you to go back to your areas of responsibility and brief your staff at every level. Today we start to treat the public with respect. There will be no more containment pen activity. Anyone committing a misdemeanour will from now on be dealt with using due processes of the law and will be treated fairly. I want to see your forces redeployed with the emphasis on community service. In other words, I want to see us get back in touch with the people. All weapons will be returned to the armouries and a select few will be recruited to be part of an armed response squad. The public will not respond positively immediately, we have to erase years of mistrust, but we have to be patient and dedicated. I am not expecting this will be easy, but I am relying on all of you here to carry out this policy with energy and enthusiasm. I know that many of the police officers in your commands will welcome the opportunity to return to the old policing ways. Some, unfortunately, will not want to let go of the power they were able to exert on others. They must be identified and re-trained. If they cannot be retrained, then they must be removed from the force. I will not be distracted from this way forward Gentlemen it is the only way. Are there any questions?’
Slattery finished his address.
‘If we are to disarm, Commissioner, surely we are even more vulnerable to the terrorists than we were. How do we protect ourselves from this Judge character and his men?’ One Chief Inspector asked.
‘To the best of my knowledge Chief Inspector, whenever there has been an attack on our patrols only their weapons have been taken and no officers have been killed. Those officers that have been killed have been those on what has been called ‘special duties’. That is a matter of a separate investigation and I can assure you it does not affect the policy I have outlined or indeed put your men at risk. I firmly believe that when Mr Judge sees that the police are reverting to the role they were meant to carry out such as protecting the public instead of abusing them he will concentrate his efforts on other matters. And I would add at this point if Mr Judge or any of his followers are caught in the act of breaking the law then I expect them to be arrested. That will be one of the responsibilities of the armed rapid response squads. In any event, I think you will find that Judge will have his hands full in dealing with the military. As far as I am concerned, he is not our responsibility. Are there any other questions?’
A superintendent nervously coughed and asked ‘what has the Government’s response been to your plan Sir?’
‘I have not discussed it with Government and have no intention to do so. Policing is a matter for the Police and should only involve Government when the Police are not doing the job they are there to do. From tomorrow, we will start to do what we are meant to do. I do not believe that any Government would not support what I intend to happen. I will brief the First Minister when the changes are well under way. If that is all gentlemen, I will expect a report on progress from you in one week’s time.’
As the attendees dispersed there was much muttering and behind the hand comments; a nervousness was apparent. A few officers welcomed the change, but many could not see their men being overwhelmingly joyous at becoming street coppers again. The removal of weapons would be a major obstacle.
Graham spoke briefly to Frank Walters ‘what do you think? Is he going to pull it off?’
‘I guess we can only wait and see. I must admit I didn’t see a great deal of enthusiastic body language. What do you think?’
‘I agree; most of the vibes I picked up were negative. I have serious concerns about the Commissioners safety and once he is dealt with, if you know what I mean, then any of his supporters will also be removed. I want you to promise me that if you get any sign that they are coming for you get in touch me; I have a contingency ready and waiting.’
Frank Walters was surprised but agreed.
John Judge Page 44
