Is this senior Police Officer for REAL?

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Surely in his position he should be even handed and fair?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/15/senior-police-officer-happy-two-tier-policing-hunts/

[oowee]

He should ensure the law is followed. Surprised he can get away with this sort of opinion. Its behind a pay wall so maybe the bit I can see is out of context.

Edited Sunday at 17:58 by oowee

[TIGHTCHOKE]

He is quite outspoken about drag hunting, fox hunting and seems quite an ally for the anties.

From the Telegraph article;

"A senior police officer said that he was “very happy” with reports which claimed there was two-tier policing of hunts in favour of saboteurs.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, the national police lead on the issue, has campaigned for a ban on legal trail hunting and claimed it is a “smokescreen for illegal hunting”.

His stance led to public criticism, including from Ben Wallace, former defence secretary, who said that he should be removed from post if he cannot police without fear of favour and that there was “a sense of two-tier policing” on the issue.

Mr Longman then emailed the League Against Cruel Sports about an article focusing on Mr Wallace’s comments, noting he was “very happy” with “how policing has been represented”.

It is one of several emails which are said to show a close relationship between Mr Longman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead on fox hunting, and the animal rights lobby group.

The correspondence, seen by The Telegraph, shows that on one occasion Mr Longman offered to “try to clarify” whether an investigation into the charity by Action Fraud had been dropped.

‘Tackle trail hunting’
In another, the league asked him to meet with an unnamed Lib Dem politician who it is said “seems open to the need to tackle trail hunting” and “is interested to hear your comments”.

Oliver Hughes, managing director of the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) which obtained the emails under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws, said that the relationship appeared “wholly inappropriate”.

“Unfortunately, many within the hunting and rural communities now feel that two-tier policing is prevalent in the countryside,” he said.

“There is a growing perception that certain elements of the police are no longer acting impartially or fairly and may sympathise with those advocating for a ban on lawful trail hunting.

“This group often includes so-called hunt saboteurs who wear black uniforms, cover their faces and engage in abusive, intimidating and sometimes violent behaviour.”

In September 2024, Mr Longman wrote an email from his official NPCC account about an article which had appeared in The Times.

The focus of the piece was Mr Wallace’s complaint that Mr Longman “is supposed to police without fear or favour, and if he can’t then he should be removed because that is part of this debate about two-tier policing”.

Mr Wallace, who joined the board of the BHSA after stepping down from his ministerial role, added that there was “prolific thuggery” from hunt saboteurs and that he had witnessed one punch a hunt follower in front of a police officer who did nothing.

Sharing the article with the league, Mr Longman said: “I’m very happy with the article in terms of how policing has been represented, just wanted to ensure I hadn’t sent media traffic your way unintended.”

Mr Wallace told The Telegraph that these comments were “immature and foolish” and “hardly in line with professional policing”.

He added: “This sort of behaviour risks undermining policing by consent in rural communities which already feel abandoned by police forces whose priorities seem to be more about the woke agenda than going after serious crime.”

Allegations of fraud
A representative for the league had earlier emailed Mr Longman’s NPCC address to inform him that Surrey Police had dropped an investigation into allegations of fundraising fraud at the charity because of a lack of evidence.

The charity worker asked: “What I don’t know is if this also means that the Action Fraud investigation is also dropped? Would/could it be two separate investigations and therefore AF will still be looking at it?”

Mr Longman said that he suspected that Action Fraud would have passed their complaints to police and the investigations “are one and the same”. He added: “I’ll try to clarify.”

He has met with the league at least three times this year, the FOI reveals, In March, before the election, it asked him to meet a Lib Dem who “seems open to the need to tackle trail hunting if he is persuaded that the activity is being widely abused and all it is, is a smokescreen”.

The email continued: “He is interested to hear your comments and would like to hear more about the extent of the problem – to be convinced that it is widespread and that a change in the law is needed to enable enforcement. How do you feel about meeting with the politicians?”

If Mr Longman responded this is not included in the release. The names of the politician and of those working for the league have been redacted by the NPCC.

Mr Hughes said: “The BHSA is concerned by the close relationship between Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman and the League Against Cruel Sports.

“T/ACC Longman is trusted to monitor trail hunting without fear or favour and here we see evidence of him cosying up to an organisation that campaigns to outlaw a legal pastime.”

[Newbie to this]

Sounds like he has brought his politics into policing, and as such should.now be looking for employment.....but I won't hold my breath.

[Acerforestry]

Was originally saying, link not valid, but on second attempt the article comes up

Edited Sunday at 19:43 by Acerforestry

[clangerman]

why did I expect to see any actual proof of actual wrong doing when it’s the telegraph still serves me right for reading the rubbish! 

[Vince Green]

Police officers have to be impartial and the bar is set very high. There are very full and robust complaints procedures.

Now this story has come to light he will be asked to account for his actions. You can be sure it won't be an easy interview.

[Pushkin]

Making a statement such as he has done, shows him to be an absolute oaf and as such, his senior officers need to call him in and ask him either to retract it in full or leave the force altogether.  There can be no move to enforce 2 tier policing in the UK regardless of what Starmer wants.Pushkin

[Yellow Bear]

11 hours ago, Pushkin said:

either to retract it in full

Little point if he still believes it, he should just resign or be sacked to prove the point that the force is impartial.

[ShootingEgg]

21 hours ago, Vince Green said:

Police officers have to be impartial and the bar is set very high. There are very full and robust complaints procedures

From a mate of mine who is in the job

"Without fear or favour to uphold the law

So must remain impartial."

Anyone can put in a complaint. And if this is true then it wouldn't be wrong to complain