The bed-rock of our police, from their conception in the 19th century, has been that the public must see and believe they act without fear or favour, unbiased and treating everybody equally before the law. There can be no exceptions. Not one. O One exception will inevitably lead to another and we will end up with fragmented police forces of differing compositions, policing various communities.
There are some lines in the sand for which we can be proud. A police force which is able to treat all, and to treat all equally before the law is one of those lines.
If a constable feels he or she cannot do their duty in some sections of society then they should leave the force - or better still never be employed in the first place.
An impartial police force is more important than any one individual.
COUNCILLOR PETER BAILLIE, Southampton City Council.
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