David Diment states in his letter (Oxford Mail, October 5): ‘One does not want the average bobby to be a half-witted, semi-illiterate ignoramus.’ Relax Mr Diment.

I worked the Rose Hill area for years during my tenure with the ‘Old Bill’ and no-one noticed that I fitted the criteria and they mostly seemed pretty pleased with my work.

Also as a serving officer, I spoke to one of the first to graduate, who I think was called Alistair Straenaver.

I think he later went on to become Duke of Argyll after a short period of service with the Metropolitan Police.

My words were: “Thanks yes I’ll have a pint of Double Diamond.”

The occasion being an attempt to woo university graduates into the elite ranks of the British police and they were being entertained in Cowley Police Station bar.

I must have made some impression because he later invited me to his birthday party, and in the process got my colleagues and I a mention in the William Hickey column in the Daily Express next day.

If my recollection is inaccurate in names, please allow for a senior citizen moment, not my original state of half-witted semi-illiterate ignoramus.

CHRIS PAYNE, Turnpike Road, Bicester