Perfunctoriness
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6904200313 |
| Published date | 01 March 1969 |
| Author | William Muncie |
| Date | 01 March 1969 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
DET.
CHIEF
SUPT.
WILLIAM
MUNCIE
Lanarkshire Constabulary
PERFUNUTORINESS
This is a sad, and unfortunately true, story which lends much
support to the saying
"Truth
is stranger than fiction"; it may convert
those who doubt the truth of this saying and at the same time it
illustrates a valuable lesson against being perfunctory, or allowing
others to be perfunctory, even at the risk of your being called hard-
hearted or callous.
It
also demonstrates the fact that headquarters
should be notified of all incidents.
John Aitken was 19 years of age, had fair hair and stood
6ft.
tall.
On Friday, July 26, 1963, he left his home in Hamilton, Lanark-
shire, to visit his l2-year-old cousin in Bargeddie, some 6 miles
away, taking with him an air rifle which he had recently bought and
which he was going to display proudly to his cousin. On arriving at
his cousin's house, they had some food and shortly after noon they
decided to go to a nearby glen and have some target practice with
the rifle.
Through this glen runs North Calder Water, a tributary of the
River Clyde. On average about this part it is only some 15 ft. wide
and on its meanderings through the industrial
part
of Lanarkshire
its waters become a dirty slate grey colour. Near its source it serves
a reservoir which is used to maintain canal levels, thereafter an
industrial reservoir and after that it would seem to serve no other
purpose than being a natural boundary of two police divisions.
In the glen there are one or two pools about
6ft.
deep and over one
pool a wind-blown tree offers a crossing place for anyone agile and
daring enough to negotiate it. The boys reached this tree on the
North
Bank and John Aitken suggested they cross over it. His cousin
thought it too dangerous and declined. John, however, decided he
would cross alone and when about mid-stream and negotiating
abranch of the tree, he slipped and fell into the pool. His cousin
seeing him in obvious difficulties climbed on to the tree, but John
was outwith his grasp. He then held out the rifle to him but John
managed only to feebly touch it. He disappeared beneath the murky
water.
The cousin then ran from the glen and through a field to summon
help. The local police from the North Bank arrived but could see
no trace of John. About 2.30 p.m. the police sub-aqua unit began
their search which because of the dirty water and heavily silted bed
had to be done more or less by groping. About 4p.m. some 15 yds.
downstream from the tree, their search seemed to be successful: the
body of a young man about 19 years of age, fair hair and 6 ft. in
134 March 1969
To continue reading
Request your trial