IN reply to Mr K Reynolds' remarks about police attitudes (Letters, December 11), I am a police constable with over 25 years' service in Lancashire Constabulary.

I joined because I believed that I could serve the members of the public with an outstanding service.

I returned to England in 1976 after being educated in America. I didn't join a police service in America because I don't like guns and if ever it was decided to arm every police officer in this country, I would resign.

I have lived in Darwen since I returned to this country. People ask me why I live here and not America. The answer is quite simple. Apart from the weather and the government's policies on taxation, it's the best country in the world. We are served with the best police force worldwide.

Out of my 25 years' service I have worked on the streets for 23 years. I passed my sergeant's and inspector's exams many years ago. The last time I went on a promotion board was in 1988. You may think that I have no ambition.

That's not the point. I always wanted to be happy at work and I love my job and the people I serve with.

I may be rude to people sometimes but only when they are rude to me. After all, we are all human and not automatons like some people think we are. We have families and we eat, drink and sleep like everyone else. We have the same domestic problems etc., like every other person in the world.

We are not perfect and never will be. That's what make the world go round. It's just a shame that some people think that they are perfect.

LANCASHIRE POLICE OFFICER.