Copy of amended letter in Ross-Shire Journal. 5th November 2010
More proof of police incompetence
Sir
I refer to last weeks article entitled "Police apology over murder probe blunder", and other articles which referred to the relatives of murdered Easter Ross woman Donna Forrest finding one of the weapon's used behind a microwave in her Balintore home, three to four weeks after her horrific death.
This shocking and despicable blunder by police officer's comes after searches of the house by Northern Constabulary's so called scene-of-crime officers and forensic team. The crime scene was then eventually cleaned up to allow Donna's family access to the house.
Time and time again serious failures have occured by Northern Constabulary's scene-of-crime officers during major investigations. In 2004, regarding the murder inquiry of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson, the police search team failed to find the murder weapon, a gun, which was later found by council workers in a drain a short distance away from the crime scene. In 1997 regarding the murder inquiry of my nephew Kevin Mcleod at Wick harbour, police amongst other failures, failed to conduct door to door enquiries, failed to cordon off and search the scene, and immediately destroyed Kevin's clothing. We Kevin's family, however, have from the outset suspected police involvement with Kevins death.
Andrew Cameron, Central Scotland's then Chief Constable in his 2002 independent enquiry and subsequent report relating to Northern's handling of this particular murder enquiry stated, "The failure of the force to seize, retain,and submit for examination the clothing worn by Kevin Mcleod at the time of his death remains inexplicable. Northern Constabulary erred significantly by destroying the clothing which clearly warranted its retention particulary when the investigation was upgraded to the equivalant of a murder inquiry. Despite interviews undertaken with all officers who had a connection with the property of Kevin Mcleod, this enquiry has failed to establish, where, when, and by whom the clothing of the deceased was destroyed".
In simple terms, I suspect Mr Cameron is basically stating that, Northern Constabulary are inexperienced, clueless and not fit for purpose. My thoughts entirely.
It appears that simple ABC detection work and basic police procedures are being totally ignored when so called scene-of-crime police officers arrive at the scene of a fatality. All police officers, in particular, scene-of-crime officers, must all be trained to the very highest of professional standards, whether there is one or 1001 deaths in their force area. Sadly, it appears that within Northern Constabulary we have a substandard police force which has very little practical experience in this rare field and one which must be addressed.
Therefore, the public must now question who is accountable and responsible for these past and present operational failures, and to question the credibility, competence, and professionalism of Northern Constabulary when investigating any death within the Highlands and Islands.
Will Chief Constable Latimer finally now admit, prior to his iminent retirement, that his force has neither the ability or experience as their counterparts have in other Scottish police forces to investigate major crime. I sincerely hope for the benefit of the public in the Highlands and Islands that the new Chief Constable who ever he/she may be, will reassure the public, that they, unlike the current Chief Constable, will deliver quality policing and improved performance relating to serious crime, including a team of committed,competent and professional, serious crime squad investigators who will ensure that recent and past failures will never occur again, but more importantly, implement severe punishment and penalties to any police officer who fails to fulfil the criteria of Northen Constabulary's emblem to "Protect and Serve".
Sorry, I checked the Ross-Shire Journal's letters page but there is no link. There is however a link to the story (below) of which was indeed the crux of my letter.
If ever a case stands as a monument to one family's courage and determination to expose the truth and the at times abject poverty of our justice system it is the case of Kevin McLeod.
The family have fought tirelessly since 1997 and yet despite numerous setbacks have never given up hope that Northern Constabulary and its Chief Constable Latimer would finally be forced to reveal the truth behind Kevin’s suspicious death.
Following a 2009 complaint The Police Complaint’s Commissioner for Scotland has, not for the first time, found in the McLeod’s favour and once again reveals the incompetence and negligence of some Northern Constabulary officers. No amount of criticism appears to embarrass Chief Constable Latimer however and his arrogant behaviour only serves to deepen the McLeod’s hurt. That he should be thoroughly ashamed of himself and the disgrace he has brought to the uniform he wears has probably never occurred to him.
Quote:
Of the two complaints considered in this review, the Commissioner found that one was handled reasonably while the other was not.
In the Commissioner’s view, the manner in which this complaint was dealt with by Northern Constabulary was not reasonable. The Commissioner recommends that Northern Constabulary writes to the applicant clarifying the current status of the case. The Commissioner also recommends that Northern Constabulary apologises to the applicant for implying that Mr A’s death was accidental.
No more apologies. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The Chief Constable should now finally resign in shame at the horrendous manner in which he and his force have shown towards Kevin's grieving parents since his appointment in 2001. - Shame on you and your force Mr Latimer.
My family first brought this matter of harassment and intimitation by police officer's to the Chief Constable and his deputy's attention during their apology meeting in December 2007.
- Nothing has changed.
Given the disgraceful treatment of the McLeod family over the years I would hope that the least Mr Thurso calls for is an urgent enquiry into the validity of the information Northern Constabulary claims to have received.
This is a force that has time and time again been proved to have acted wrongly or irresponsibly and yet still the right hand doesn’t appear to know what the left hand is up to.
It is the leadership of forces Like Northern that lead me to conclude that a national force is long overdue. Hopefully communities will receive a consistent standard of policing that has less to do with the whims of individual Chief Constables jealously guarding their little fiefdoms and more to do with effectiveness and efficiency and respect for the communities served.
My family first brought this matter of harassment and intimitation by police officer's to the Chief Constable and his deputy's attention during their apology meeting in December 2007.
- Nothing has changed.
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