Policing Madness

What is it about modern Western nations that so many in positions of authority seem to have no sense of self-preservation? Why does political correctness trump common-sense measures to prevent loss of life?

Up to eight police officers and civilian staff are suspected of links to extremist groups including Al Qaeda.

Some are even believed to have attended terror training camps in Pakistan or Afghanistan.

Their names feature on a secret list of alleged radicals said to be working in the Metropolitan and other forces.

The dossier was drawn up with the help of MI5 amid fears that individuals linked to Islamic extremism are taking advantage of police attempts to increase the proportion of ethnic staff.

Astonishingly, many of the alleged jihadists have not been sacked because - it is claimed - police do not have the "legal power" to dismiss them.

I would have thought that not being able to receive the proper security clearance would have been grounds enough for dismissal- and if it isn't, then they should make it so immediately. How on Earth can it be possible that someone with probable links to terrorists can be allowed to remain in the police force? I'm fairly certain that if these individuals had been found to have ties with the IRA, for example, during the recent Troubles then there would have been no question of dismissing them immediately.

We can also reveal that one suspected jihadist officer working in the South East has been allowed to keep his job despite being caught circulating Internet images of beheadings and roadside bombings in Iraq.

He is said to have argued that he was trying to "enhance" debate about the war.

Classified intelligence reports raising concerns about police staff's background cannot be used to justify their dismissal, sources said.

Instead, the staff who are under suspicion are unofficially barred from working in sensitive posts and are closely monitored. Political correctness is blamed for the decision not to sack them.

There can be no other reason- I'm pretty sure that a background check is required to become a police officer (a person I know recently applied for a post working at the local airport and the security checks required to work in a shop there are rigorous to say the least). In this day and age of international and home-grown terrorists there can be no excuse not to blacklist individuals identified by MI5 or whoever as possible terrorists or terrorist sympathisers. Good grief, not so long ago a man was turned down by the police because he had a Union Jack tattoo- a patriot was turned away but someone who has attended a terror training camp is fine?

This is beyond a joke- and the people making these decisions need to begin putting the security of the country and the safety of British citizens ahead of this politically correct nonsense.