Actually, the Control Centre at Bilston was the brainchild of Sir Roy Cameron and even seasoned serving and retired senior officers concede privately that it has been an absolute disaster, in spite of all the spin. So much so that it is being reviewed urgently - again!
The second disaster was the City (area) wide policing and was entirely Mr. Tomkins idea, based on the popular English system that he brough with him from London - so popular that it is being scrapped almost universally as another failed initiative from career cops! The ludicrous situation of officers traversing 10 miles through Edinburgh to attend urgent calls still occurs because of lack of resources in the right places.
Rising crime, but more importantly heightened fear of crime, questionable antics of Police Board members (Milligan and Khan particularly), lack of visible police presence, unlawful policies of tolerance and a general declining faith in policing in South East Scotland and it isn't hard to see where one could sympathise with the above views. Could he be the first former Chief of Lothian and Borders to leave without a knighthood?

Come on, Duncan from Newington - are you out there? Your friend and confidante, Sir Paddy Tumshie (oops, sorry Ma'am - jumped the gun), needs your support !!!

Local people need (and want) local Policemen from local Police Stations and would like people who actually know the area answering their telephone calls. Is it really too much to ask? People are appointed to these high positions because they have degrees (not always in legal or relevant areas either!) but haven't got a clue about reality - nor do they always know the area thay are trying to Police (Edinburgh isn't London - they each have their own unique problems, it's not a "one size fits all" kind of deal). They make changes so they can "make their mark", not necessarily to improve the situation.

A lot of the time it is just change for change sake.

#1 Chris has hit the nail squarely on the head.
Pre Mr Tomkins and what has turned out to be a woefully inadequate policing system which is Operation Capital, the public could call a police station and speak with someone with local knowledge and that person would send an officer who had local knowledge to deal with the problem.
There were more officers on a shift and there was more visibility on the streets.
Then Capital and the (trades description act could be after them on this one) Force Communications Centre came along.
Result was nobody to take calls, so people calling get an engaged tone.
Officers sent here there and everywhere with the only benefit was to publishers because the sales of A to Z maps rocketed because officers didn't know the area.
If the clock could be turned back pre Capital the public would see a huge difference for the better but as with all cock ups by bosses they keep going and trying to repair what is a sinking ship.

Well done, Cameron Rose, and Evening News.

It is high time we stopped pussyfooting around these ludicrous political situations, where people who have been promoted above their abilities are booted upstairs to do more harm, and always at the public's expense.

Effective policing began to decline when they started rating education above physique, personality, and character. Lengthy formal education is usually detrimental to the currently scarce commodities of common-sense and courtesy.

Tomkins has done irrepairable and irreversible damge to policing in Edinburgh. Unfortunately where he is going he can cause the damage all over Scotland. I suppose this is what happens when you bring senior officers from over the border who have never seen an angry man and go for education or a political figure over a practical officer. He was noticeable by his absence during the G8.

I suppose its just coincidence that Cammy Rose, fondly remembered supercop himself, is standing for office as a Torrie Coonsillor and has decided to vent his spleen! Once he joins the fine body of men in the City Chambers all will be well. You’d best come clean Cammy and tell them about your shameful past as one of the evil educated accelerated promotion fliers. It will all come out in the wash!

no.8 Retired and happy ex L and B, I think you know exactly why Cammy Rose never said anything whilst still in the job.
The reason is the people at Fettes would have made his life hell.
He would have also been ostracized as the bosses men tried to further their own careers.
Fettes does not only breed "Yes men". If the boss says "No" then so will they.
You can only speak out AFTER you leave the police or shortly before going off sick with stress.

No.9. If a Senior Officer doesn't have the moral fibre to speak out whilst serving the community in the police service,it surely begs the question as to his suitability as a local councillor. Cameron Rose was more than happy to use the system for his own benefit and pandered to the hierarchy at Fettes. As stated in my previous post his article has a lot of merit.

If more of the middle management were willing to make a stand and voice their opinions instead of pandering in anticipation of their next promotion it would make for a far better service.

Another retired & happy L & B officer;
The policing problems in Edinburgh stem back to the early 1980s when the first imported C.C. was appointed. Numerous changes were made at this time and have continued ever since. Sadly very few have been for the better and were introduced with a view to cutting costs. Unfortunately this is nothing new to this incompetent Council and the costs just keep increasing. It's long overdue that such comments by Cameron Rose are made public. When are we going to return to 'proper' policing? Unfortunately all these 'high flying' type officers appear to lack the knowledge of the basic skills of policing. Sadly Mr. Tomkins legacy for the Force will be his disastrous Operation Capital.

Retired & Happy ex L&B.,
A personal attack from a position of anonymity has little credibility, as it demonstrates the lack of moral fibre you are so critical of.

Police - Politicians - Forces - anything that requires a strong element of discipline to enable it to work, necessitates much grinding of teeth and biting of tongues to survive, as you surely know and must have done often, if you are honest with yourself.

Middle management cannot hope to achieve anything much until they get higher. Many try but few are chosen, as there is very little space at the top of a pyramid. Many of those who don't try are disposed to blame their failure on those who do - such is life!

No.10
Your statement is nonsense and if you were a serving officer you would know that.
People in the police cannot speak out because 1) there is only so much room at the top of the pyramid and 2) to do so brands you a trouble maker and the “yes men” will be only too keen to let the bosses know “ he / she is a trouble maker boss and disnae speak for the rest of us. You’re doing a great job, kiss, kiss, kiss (and I don't mean on the lips)”. The council is not run like the police. Life can be made impossible for officers who are outspoken.
Paddy Tomkins is using and abusing the system ten times more than Cameron Rose could ever have done but the difference is Mr Tomkins flawed plan has ruined what was a very good police force and made it into a fire service.

no.13

If the motive for Cameron Rose's article is to alert the public to the shambles that is LandB police then I am happy to commend him. If it is for his own political ends then it speaks for itself. Unfortunately I suspect it's the latter.

On the subject of 'yes men' . For the most part in my service they were in the minority and were quickly found out as such. I was fortunate to work with many hard working dedicated officers who had the respect of their peers and the community. That was always more important to most than brown nosing with hierarchy.

no 14. I agree Mr Rose is to be commended if the reason is to alert the public.
The truth is the truth, no matter who speaks it and I cannot find an exaggeration or misrepresentation of the facts in what Mr Rose says.
Lothian and Borders Police are providing a poorer service to the public than they did before Capital.

That is not meant as a slight on servicing officers it is purely down to the fact that Captial was seen not to be working at the very early stages and the powers that be knew this but would not admit it.
Give it a chance was their motto. It has had more than a chance to prove itself but has failed.

An apt analogy would now be to compare Operation Capital with a flat car tyre. Yes, you can drive with it flat but it was better when it was inflated. Pre Capital policing was better for the public than what is in place now.