YOU said the stress counsellor for Lancashire Constabulary had retired (LET, Nov 4).

For almost 20 years I was the retained counsellor for Lancashire Constabulary.

Being in the private sector it was my choice to specialise in the counselling of police officers for that force and other forces.

In 1987 I was the only civilian to be given an award from the Home Office Department of Science and Technology and this took the form of a research grant which enabled me to research the needs of police officers and their levels of stress and trauma.

Earlier this year it was my decision to resign from Lancashire Constabulary. It must be clearly stated here that I am still in practice and I am still retained by other police forces.

It was with great sadness that I left the Lancashire Constabulary and I am very concerned that any officer might suffer as a result of my leaving.

The information given to you by the spokesman for the Lancashire Constabulary was totally incorrect. I have not retired, merely resigned, and only from that particular force.

VERA WATERS (Mrs), Counselling Consultant, Union Street, Oldham.

Footnote: We accurately reported the force's press officer in our article - Editor.

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