The decline in police standards has been slow but steady and the service is a long way from sorting itself out as the arrest of Graham Linehan over anti-trans tweets shows, warns Calum Steele a former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation

One of the things that is often forgotten about the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (simply the Met to most of us) is that the current incumbent, Sir Mark Rowley was coaxed out of retirement to run it. Although commented on briefly at the time, the fact not one of the other serving 44 chief constables across the whole of the United Kingdom was deemed of sufficient quality to step up to the plate to become what is dubbed the UK’s most senior police officer really should have been subject to much greater critical scrutiny and debate.

Whilst policing is one of these subjects everyone is an expert in, the politics of policing - as oppose to political influence over the police and allegations thereof - is an altogether much more niche topic. But indulge me here for this matters, and it matters more than anyone in government or the wider world cares to admit.

What on earth are we meant to conclude from the fact that a man who had put himself out to grass some four years earlier was held in greater regard than any of those overseeing the day to day response to crime and community safety across the whole of the United Kingdom? What does that say for the “talent management” (a hideous term in its own right) of the future leaders of our constabularies, and what does it also........

© Herald Scotland