AS a retired police officer, I was absolutely appalled to read about two officers from Bury being "tailed", during their tour of duty, by members of GMP's dedicated surveillance unit on the orders of the divisional deputy commander, Supt. Westcott.

What must the public think? Are we paying our taxes to finance the whims of such misguided individuals?

The surveillance unit is an extremely professional squad of officers whose main remit is to assist other departments by providing intelligence on the movements of serious criminals, using covert observational techniques. Their training is very intensive and expensive and, because of the potential dangers, only the very best in their field become members of the squad.

I wonder what they thought when they were instructed to follow two fellow officers during a tour of duty. I should imagine not a lot!

Mr Westcott's actions will also have a magnificent effect on morale throughout the Bury Division. The job of policing is now a lot harder than it has ever been. Criminals are cleverer and more vicious, public confidence in the police force is at a low ebb, and the legal system makes it increasingly difficult to convict the wrongdoer.

The only way the police service survives is by the dedication of its officers and the camaraderie engendered within the ranks.

Supervisory officers have a massive role to play in determining how well an area is policed. When I was in the service I found that the most effectively policed areas were those in which the senior officers commanded the confidence and respect of their subordinates.

Because of what I consider to be his underhand tactics, I would be amazed if Supt. Westcott can now make that claim!

If the GMP hierarchy at Chester House have anything about them, then Mr Westcott's stay in Bury should be an extremely short one. Meanwhile, an apology should be issued to all police officers and members of the public for such an unforgivable waste of time and money.

DISGRUNTLED EX-OFFICER