THE decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to charge Chief Insp Sharon Rowe has been largely greeted with disgust by Herald readers.
Our news-desk and website have been inundated with letters and comments from people aghast at what has been variously described as "gutless vacillating", "a disgraceful abdication of responsibility" and "an absolute disgrace".
The letters pages of the Thursday, December 4 edition of the Worthing Herald include numerous letters discussing the issue.
B. Lewis, from Hayling Gardens, asked: "Does the CPS really think that senior police officers are above the law?" and added: "This decision smacks of 'trial by bureaucrat', and is morally wrong.
"Either clear her or charge her – an inconclusive middle route is an unacceptable compromise that smacks of a cover-up."
Mr C. James, from Sea Lane, said the decision would affect public confidence in the police, saying: "Any act of theft should be prosecuted and any member of the police found to be acting illegally should be made an example of.
"The police have already lost the support of the general public and incidents such as this will only reinforce that feeling."
On this website there were views supporting the CPS decision and others calling for Mrs Rowe to be given the chance to clear her name in court.
Have your sayDo you think the CPS should have charged Chief Insp Rowe and made her face court for the shoplifting allegation?
The result of the vote had 95 per cent opting for yes, with five per cent voting no.
Read the backgroundClick here to see the Sussex Police Federation response to the CPS decision not to proceed with the case.Click here to read how Crown solicitors made the decision not to charge Mrs Rowe, even when police provided enough evidence to proceed with the case.Click here to read how the Herald broke the news that Mrs Rowe would not be charged in the November 27 edition. What do you think?Has the CPS made the right decision by not proceeding with the case?
Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
A full name and address is required before letters can be considered for publication.
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