I refer to the reply from Rachel McQuilliam, the Community Relations Manager for Thames Valley Police justifying the Thames Valley Police 40th birthday celebrations at Eynsham Hall (Oxford Mail, July 19).
She vehemently refutes that the function was "at no cost to the ratepayer" (her words not mine).
But hang on a minute, Miss McQuilliam also said that "we" were asked to organise the celebration. When she refers to the word "we", it can only be presumed that her department was used to organise this event.
If so, how many people were involved and did they organise it in their own time, or was it in Thames Valley Police time?
If it was the latter, I believe we, the taxpayers, were in turn footing the bill.
Miss McQuilliam also fails to reveal the names of the sponsors.
I am sure the public would like more transparency about how their money is spent.
Maybe this is the style of the modern police force that relies on the charitable generosity of using commercial venues free and resorts to sponsorship to fund the 40th birthday celebration.
A breakdown of time and money spent by staff organising this event would be of interest to us all.
MICHAEL RHYMES Kidlington
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