Having made an appeal on behalf of Sussex Action for Peace to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, I welcome its decision to uphold a complaint of professional misconduct against Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore for remarks he made in a letter to The Argus on August 26, 2006 (The Argus, December 22).

Chief Supt Moore accused organisers of a march denouncing Israel of deliberately attempting to provoke and incite the Jewish community by the use of Palmeira Square as its rallying point on the grounds that it is an area where there is a large Jewish population. This is despite the fact that it has been an acceptable location to the police for previous similar marches and was even suggested by them in 2003.

Given that Sussex Action for Peace organised the march it found itself publicly defamed. In addition Chief Supt Moore's comments were insulting and offensive to everyone present on the march who are some of the least racist people in Brighton.

Chief Supt Moore had been criticised for the policing of the march, there being approximately 100 police officers to about 150 demonstrators.

The cost of the operation was on the same scale as policing a Brighton and Hove Albion football match which can attract thousands of supporters.

The IPCC found Chief Supt Moore's words "inaccurate and inappropriate"

and recommended that he receive "words of advice" from his force but this is merely discretionary.

This is an inadequate sanction given the damaging, irresponsible and racially divisive nature of his remarks.

  • Linda Catt, Shepherds Croft, Brighton