While normally my letters to you usually offer criticism (constructive, I hope) of Thames Valley Police, I am on this occasion coming to their defence regarding the use of the police helicopter for what many consider a minor offence. (Oxford Mail, May 24).
According to the police spokesman, the helicopter was en route to its base and would have been passing over the site of the incident anyway.
With the use of the helicopter it follows that there will be occasions when its use will not be fully justified but equally there may be occasions when we all think it should have been used and would jump to complain also on those occasions.
No-one can get it right every time and we should therefore allow some leeway to the force.
Rest assured, in my experience there will be a chair pilot at HQ who will fully justify his or her existence in examining the incidents and with hindsight, as a fully acceptable aid to their deliberations, will ensure that whoever was in the front line at the time will get it in the neck anyway.
Chris Payne, Caversfield
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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