Just to help Mr Elsom in Canada, the 90s settlement was voted in by those who work a 40hr week i.e. not busy detectives. Few industries pay the decision makers 1/3 or less of the lowest staff member. Whilst the Federation supports you, the public should know that not everyone is on a 'gravy train'.

NS, London,

N.S. of London, a salaried officer, therefore I guess an inspector, who took the pay deal when it was offered back in the nineties to recieve a big jump in basic pay if you agreed not to be paid o/t well the saying goes, 'if it looks to good it probably is', dont start complaing now.

Ian David Elsom, Okotoks, canada

As an ex English, now retired Canadian police officer, I am pleased to see that someone above the rank of Constable has retained some sense of humour.Obviously Ms. Thornton obviously lost hers when she became Politically Correct in order to attain her present position.

C. Brough, Mansonville, Canada

But where are they when they are doing all this overtime.There is certainly no greater presence on the street & it would be interesting to see whether crime stats actually improve in Forces with most overtime.

peter, worthing,

The officer who was responsible for this interesting idea to persuade his colleaues to work yet more overtime at a time of need should be congratulated. The politically correct responce from the CC was the last thing we needed.

David Boorman, woking, england

It is no different to the Police payments during the miners strikes. If you want 24 hour anti terrorist protection it cost money. Besides compared to what minister’s waste in expenses it is small fry. I did notice that the media have stopped reporting that story. No doubt more money wasted on spin.

Little John , Durham, United Kingdom

As a salaried London officer who like many others worked for weeks at less that the minimum hourly wage on this and other big cases, I agree that the greed motivation of a small percentage of our non-salaried staff is disgusting. Regretably the 80s work ethic of 'take take' exists in the police too.

NS, London,

Well don't they just love wasting our money? We all know what these people are and the fact that are supposed to uphold the law is laughable.

judy, Liverpool, England

Why am I not shocked?

'Had been spoken to' why not sacked?

Mick Reilly, Doncaster,

I agree that the emails sent were in poor taste, however, let's bear in mind that the officers themselves were covering shifts at the request of (and at the rate of pay offered by) the force - they weren't simply 'creating' the overtime on offer! Email or no email, the cost would have remained.

John Burrows, Oxford,