Read All About It!
2002
Local News!
Local Issues
Northwood
Southdene
TowerHill
Westvale
Sonae Scum
Low Pay
Stolen Cars
SRB Money Leeched
Dodgy Workmen?
Bullying DSS Staff
Help our Pensioners!
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Chief Constable Changes Mind
News of Norman Bettison's decision to stay on Merseyside is a U-turn from his previous promise to go.
We look into the matter, take a look at the controversy that bought him here and ask him to reconsider.
We speak out when no-one else seems to want to put their head above the trenches. Kirkby Times will
try to do so although it has to be said that Local Journalists have so far treated him with Kid Gloves.
We hope to hear from any Police Officers who may feel that they want to speak out on this issue. Is Norman Bettison popular
amongst local cops?, answers on the back of a postage stamp to the usual address!
There are more articles on this and other related Hillsborough material, gleaned from the local papers which can be seen here
Bettison to Stay!
Recently we were told that Norman Bettison would be moving on elsewhere!, the announcement came in May and the local press indicated that Norman the Cover Up would be packing his bags, being promoted another rung or two up the career ladder to take up a position with the Home Office Inspectorate of Constabularies.
Then came a shock announcement in late May 2002 that Bettison had changed his mind,
and would now be staying here as Chief Constable.
The Police Authority have backed Bettison's decision, the usual spindoctored statements
have issued forth from them. But Police officers on Merseyside have had mixed reactions
and some believe his reasons for staying could relate to the criticism Bettison
received, from Fellow Chief Constable Dave Phillips regarding his Neighbourhood
Policing policies here. Other reasons for his staying may include a dispute over
the contract offered by The Inspectorate of Constabularies and some Police officers
believe his Police Pension may have been affected by him leaving the Job as
Chief Constable.
Bettison said his reasons for this U-turn were "personal". The whole affair,
like his very arrival here, is full of twists and turns and its even possible the
whole affair was some exercise in subterfuge. If the decision to stay is due to criticism
of his policies on Merseyside then his reasons for staying here may well be "personal",
but is that alone enough reason to stay?
Norman Bettison is a clever man, he has all the qualifications
(degrees in psychology and business studies) but like most of us sometimes do, he may
well be at this point letting pride muddle his judgment in this matter. Many believe that
his reasons for the U-turn should have been made a lot clearer, but
now he's made his decision it will leave a lot of people suspicious of
any real commitment to this town. After all, he was quick to jump on the
offer of the Job with the Inspectorate, hardly a sign of someone with a commitment
to the Merseyside area.
Kirkby Times is hoping for a more detailed explanation of the Chief
Constables decision to stay. We already know that many officers are disappointed,
but it remains to be seen if any will actually speak out. Kirkby Times may so
far be a voice in the wilderness on this issue, but we don't mind because someone's
got to say it. We should never have accepted his position in the first place, and
its just a shame our wishes did not translate into more action when he first arrived.
Many say the matter is now over and it shames me to admit that Liverpool did not stand
up for its own in this hour of need. Our political leaders were embarrassing as they
passed the buck denying Bettisons involvement in Hillsborough, despite the fact being
there in front of their eyes on Bettisons application.
If no-one else will grasp the nettle, Kirkby times, hands red and raw from nettle
grasping, will be there to remind people that this issue does in fact continue.
It continues despite the lack of media coverage, it continues despite the fact there's
a million people telling you 'not to worry', it continues, because whenever injustice
is unresolved, there will be someone to carry on the struggle.
When Norman Bettison made his decision to stay, he once again,
bought up all those memories which leave thousands here on Merseyside still mourning and
trying to come to terms with that day in 1989 when Norman Bettison and his colleagues made
a mockery of the word Justice. They chose to follow orders which they knew would have far
reaching and lasting effects on the lives of those who were affected by the disaster.
All these years later, his presence in this Town, still causes great grief and distress
to those who lost loved ones and those who survived the Horror of Hillsborough.
The behavior of the Police in investigating Hillsborough was a Cover Up of such magnitude
that the lack of a Public Enquiry on the matter has only deepened people's distrust of the police.
Kirkby Times, as was stated, may well be a voice in the wilderness right
now, but once you listen to ordinary people you know most of us don't want Bettison.
The problem is that a lot of people who run various political organisations on
Merseyside, even Unions, don't seem to want to put their heads above the trenches
for fear of incoming fire. Let's get away from this wimp political attitude we seem
to be getting in Liverpool, its time to stand up and fight for our rights.
Back to Top
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Local Issue's: Norman Bettison Stays on in Merseyside
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