A HIGH ranking police officer today claimed that the force was more open than ever before, on the eve of his retirement.

Assistant Chief Constable David Smith, 52, a former head of Blackburn police, also welcomed the register for masons in the force - even though he is not a member of the organisation. He also argued that one of the biggest challenges facing Lancashire Police was the lack of funding from central government.

He said he had seen huge changes in the force.

The career of Mr Smith has included stints in the CID, as a frogman, in the community affairs department and head of the discipline section of the force.

He was involved in the investigation into the mason scandal at Blackburn Moat House Hotel, where two innocent businessmen were beaten up after accidentally gate-crashing a party.

The party included several policeman and Lancashire Constabulary was later forced to pay the two men £100,000 damages in an out-of- court settlement. He was also involved in a scandal involving a strippergram and officers from East Lancashire.

He said: "The police force has changed out of all recognition and there are huge opportunities opening up for us all the time. The improvements in technology and forensic science are making the fight against crime that much easier. "But one of the biggest things to have changed in recent times is the new move towards openness. The police force is far more open than it has ever been and that can only be a good thing for everyone concerned."

The new openness includes backing for calls from Home Secretary Jack Straw to have a register of all masons in the force. He said: "Personally, it is something I have never had a problem with, because I am not a mason myself.

"I have friends who are masons but that doesn't stop them being in the police and people are entitled to belong to any organisation they want to join."

Mr Smith believes the biggest threat facing the police is the lack of money from central government. He said: "The police are constantly being asked to do more with less and the money available is constantly falling.

"It is the same for all public sector organisations, but maintaining frontline police is becoming more and more of an issue. There is an ongoing tension between the public calling for more police on the beat and an ongoing fall in police resources."

Despite the changes and demands on officers, Mr Smith still believes the police offers a great career for young recruits. "The great thing about the job is the unpredictability and variety of work.

"Police go through a great deal emotions from sorrow and grief to elation and joy and it is still a very rewarding job. If I had my time again I would do exactly the same thing again."

Mr Smith, who is married with one son, is planning to spend more time pursuing his interests and supporting local charities.

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