As a retired police officer I read with interest the article about Chief Inspector Rowe’s mother complaining about her daughter’s “disgraceful” treatment (The Argus, March 20).

I find it difficult to believe it will take so long before there is a satisfactory outcome. Any detective worth his salt could have established within 24 hours whether or not there was a case to answer and the papers placed in front of the Crown Prosecution Service within a few days. Both officers could have been in front of the chief constable within at the most a fortnight and dealt with appropriately. If there was a case to answer – instant dismissal. If there was no case to answer – appropriate advice given. It is morally wrong that an officer, of whatever rank, should be kept waiting for a judgement for so long. Is it eight or nine months? In the 1950s, both officers would have been charged and in front of the magistrates the following day if there had been a case to answer.

I have no qualms about Chief Inspector Rowe being detained in a cell for two hours, but nine months to reach a conclusion – that is stretching things a bit too far.

Peter J Gibson
West Avenue, Worthing