From a South Yorks source.
Why do they have to wait until their retirement before speaking their minds? I know it won't help the vicims of PC Stephen Thomas......
CHIEF Constable Mike Hedges today admitted police had "lost the argument" over speed cameras and blamed them for wrecking the force's relationship with the public.
He has revealed how he argued against the rule which allows camera operators to claim back their running costs from the Government before the system was introduced nationally.
But despite Mr Hedges' protests, the system was introduced and he believes it will impossible to convince the public that cameras are anything other than cash-generators.
The Chief Constable spoke out as he announced his retirement after 11 years with the South Yorkshire force and said: "I believe we have lost a tremendous amount of goodwill from the public.
"I think the biggest mistake we have made is getting some money back.
"I am most uncomfortable with the focus on the taxation view which goes with it."
He has been so concerned about adverse publicity surrounding the use of mobile camera vans in South Yorkshire that he personally carried out checks to ensure they were being used within guidelines, which state they must be used only at proven accident blackspots.
Mr Hedges said South Yorkshire was among the first forces to embrace the use of cameras and openly publicised their locations before it became commonplace.
But he said increasing use of cameras and their ability to churn out hundreds of tickets in the space of a few hours had changed the public mood.
South Yorkshire police followed national policy by setting up a speed camera partnership with councils and other organisations to run the roadside checks.
Recently speed camera operator Pc Stephen Thomas was responsible for issuing more than 300 tickets, generating almost £20,000 in fines, from one five-hour shift.
Mr Hedges said: "There is a place for them but I think we have lost the argument on that.
"I think the police service has really suffered some really serious confidence problems, and support from the public, as a result."
Mr Hedges stressed the views were his opinions and not the policy of the Association of Chief Police Officers, which sets down national rules.
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