IN view of the police pay dispute, perhaps the police will learn a lesson in that by allowing themselves to become pawns to political parties, when it comes to the crunch, there are no sincere acknowledgements, thanks, or loyalties from politicians.

A typical example of this is the raising of millions of pounds for government revenue by way of speed cameras - a system which the police know is almost totally ineffective towards improving road safety - yet allowing themselves to go along with an exploitative policy for fear of being seen as maverick'.

I obviously do not defend speeders, reckless, careless or, indeed, inappropriate driving, but just ask yourself this: Who finances a police service?

It's the general public via (county) council and government.

With this pay dispute, there is now a sour taste amongst many police officers and I am not surprised.

I write as a retired police officer who has become appalled by at least 10 years' of police subservience to political monsters - county councils included.

Police officers should work with politicians and not for them.

ADRIAN SHURMER, Lyndon Avenue, Great Harwood.