Perplexed by Police Crime Commissioner's staffing claim

From: David TomlinsonPark Avenue
Call the newsdesk on 01323 414488 or email eastbourne.herald@jpress.co.uk SUS-180130-143238001Call the newsdesk on 01323 414488 or email eastbourne.herald@jpress.co.uk SUS-180130-143238001
Call the newsdesk on 01323 414488 or email [email protected] SUS-180130-143238001

In common with many other people across Sussex I have become increasingly concerned at recent reports that have appeared in the Eastbourne Herald and other publications highlighting a row that has escalated between former Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore and the current Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne over the reduction of police officer numbers for Sussex in recent years.

On any view, Kevin Moore is a very experienced officer with more than thirty years’ police service including Head of Sussex CID and Chief Superintendent in charge of policing for the City of Brighton and Hove.

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Therefore, I am somewhat perplexed to read that Mrs Bourne is alleged to have accused him of “preferring fake news to facts”.

I have to say it is not an expression I had ever heard until it was recently uttered by President Trump after some of his policy statements had been challenged.

Moreover, I find it difficult to understand how an accusation of this nature could be laid at the door of such an experienced former senior police officer whose whole career has been built on seeking out the truth wherever it may be found.

The public will have to make up its own mind whether it is satisfied with current levels of policing and compare them with that which we considered to be the norm a few years ago, notwithstanding the very significant cuts that have been made to police budgets by the present government.

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Mrs Bourne has already indicated that she intends to stand again as Police & Crime Commissioner in 2020 when the people of Sussex will have a chance to decide who they want to fill the role.

For my part, I hope that Kevin Moore can be persuaded to stand for the position of Police & Crime Commissioner in order that the public can have an opportunity to test the veracity of both sides of the argument. I have no doubt that should Kevin Moore decide to stand, for the position, he would attract a large army of supporters across Sussex willing to support his campaign for election based on his very considerable experience of policing in Sussex over many years.