JUST because Cleveland’s last chief constable, Mike Veale, resigned under a cloud, doesn’t mean his proposed radical reforms of our constabulary should be shelved.

Because there are too many old chiefs and not enough young braves in the force, Mike planned to slim down the constabulary’s command structure by eliminating the ranks of chief inspector and superintendent, thereby creating the capacity to have more PCs in our neighbourhoods in proportion to PCSOs.

Sadly, it seems that, under the present temporary leadership, the old inefficient structures and practices are to continue, meaning there is little chance of ending the malaise that has infected Cleveland Police throughout its troubled history.

If our force is to survive much longer, nothing less than the root and branch reforms planned by Mike Veale will suffice.

Steve Kay, Redcar & Cleveland councillor