Policing at heart of public meeting

Former senior police officer and South Scotland MSP and Labour Justice spokesman, Graeme Pearson, has launched his own comprehensive review of Police Scotland.
And he is coming to the town on Thursday to find out what locals think of the changes to the force.
His review will look at local accountability, staffing, targets and the relationship between Police Scotland and Scottish Government ministers.
He has been tasked by his party to assess the effectiveness of the single police force and propose bold reforms.
Mr Pearson wants to speak to officers, civilian staff, community groups, victim support staff and members of the public and has invited anyone with an interest in the subject to attend the event at Georgetown Community Centre from 7 pm.
He said: “There is no doubt that something has gone badly wrong with the implementation of the single police force, and policing in Scotland needs a shake-up. We need to get back to the kind of community policing that made Scotland the envy of the world at one time.
“Labour will be bold and radical in our approach to policing in Scotland. In the coming months I will travel the country speaking to those on the frontline. Communities across Scotland, and the police officers themselves, deserve better.”