“DEPUTY Chief Constable Iain Spittal said lessons had been learned...” (Echo, Aug 20). This is one of the well-worn phrases that senior officers in Cleveland Police wheel out every time their force is rocked by yet another scandal.
The catalogue of failures in the Scott case – no less than 16 “red flag” warnings were missed – is indefensible with mere words. What the victims needed and the public of Cleveland had a right to expect, is action, not tried and tested catchphrases.
We have a monumental failure by Cleveland Police to protect the public of Cleveland followed by a complete failure to deal firmly with officers who failed in their sworn duties. It demonstrates that Cleveland Police should never have investigated itself in this case. Sixteen separate opportunities were missed to stop this monster. Are we really to believe that every officer who should have acted and didn’t is without culpability?
Once again, the leadership in Cleveland Police had the opportunity to turn the tide, to change the culture within the organisation – a culture in which whistle blowers are afraid to speak out, a culture in which the minority – the “bad apples” – are allowed to flourish without challenge. In this it has failed miserably.
It is entirely unacceptable that the identities of the officers who failed to protect the public are being protected – the innocent victims have a right to anonymity; those who failed them do not.
The public of Cleveland needed reassurance. The victims deserved justice. Did we get either?
Sultan Alam, Acklam, Middlesbrough
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here