When a group of professionals squeal that they wish to draw a line between operational independence and accountability, you know that they are concerned that they will be answerable for their actions. Especially when Chief Constables damn any change: elected chief constables, elected police authorities, or any possibility of democratisation.
This is the same group that did little or nothing to counter Labour's target culture and revenue raising activities, debasing policing practice. The self-serving argument is not one that washes after such problems on their watch