I AM a retired police officer and heartily sick of the lack of service, in any manner, being delivered (or not) by West Yorkshire Police.

Such was my disdain at the 'service' with regard to incidents that I – and many of my friends and neighbours – have experienced, I made complaints to the said authorities at all levels and have received no satisfactory reply in any form, either apologetic or reassuring.

In desperation I thought the new crime commissioner may be interested and as her role states clearly she should act as the voice of the people and hold the police accountable, the description continues – but then again it does not warrant further comment.

From information received from her 'deputy' it would appear that there is nothing they can do to address any of my complaints, as they cannot intervene in police actions etc.

In view of the – I should imagine considerable – cost of such a department, perhaps we can save a few pounds and place the said commissioner's office in the same place as the police, wherever they are!

Brian Hinchliffe, Marsh, Oxenhope

* A spokesperson for policing and crime at the West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority responded: "Changes to the way police complaints are handled were outlined by the Government in the Policing and Crime Act 2017, and came into effect from February 1, 2020.

"These changes mean that complaints about police officers or staff must go to the respective police force in the first instance. They can be referred on to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by the police force where serious misconduct is alleged, but otherwise would be dealt with locally by the corresponding police force.

"If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of this process, they have the option to request a review by an independent body and complainants are informed who the review body is when the outcome of the complaint is given to them. That independent body will either be the IOPC or the mayor of West Yorkshire (previously the Police and Crime Commissioner). This right to review must be requested within 29 days of receiving the outcome of the complaint from the local police force.

"Whilst we would not go into individual cases in detail, in this instance Mr Hinchliffe has options open to pursue his complaints and these have been outlined to him.

"The mayor’s role in policing and crime, and responsibilities delegated to the deputy mayor for policing and crime, are hugely varied. They require independence and comprise of a host of work across the spectrum of policing and community safety. These include holding the Chief Constable to account, commissioning vital services for victims of crime, determining police and crime objectives, holding the policing budget, consulting the public to ensure that its views and priorities are taken on board, to name but a few. You can find out more about this work on our website, westyorks-ca.gov.uk/policing-and-crime."

** Email your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk