THE conviction and imprisonment of the former police officer Wayne Couzens for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard has been used by the media to foment the belief that the public have lost respect for, and trust in, the police.

Which is totally unwarranted as the vast majority of police officers are decent, honest, dedicated people who put themselves in harms way to protect us every day.

When Dr Harold Shipman was convicted off killing over 200 of his patients, did we lose faith in the medical profession?

When nurse Beverley Allitt was convicted of murdering at least four of the babies in her care, did we lose faith in the nursing profession?

Of course not. The Cozens case is being used as an excuse to traduce the 150,000 members of the police force – tarring them all with the same brush.

It is appalling that people who should know better are fostering distrust of the guardians of the law.

ROBERT READMAN

Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth