With specific reference to the insightful, scholarly article titled Disorder–A Source of Public Insecurity by Brig Gen AWJ Phillips-Spencer which appeared in the commentary section of the Guardian on November 23 and 25: Brig Phillips-Spencer, launching off from guest speaker William Bratton's presentation at the Hyatt, has shared an interesting perspective of the underlying issues regarding crime that seem to escape many of us.
His spot-on singling-out of the key, but overlooked and underestimated, element of societal "disorder," urgently in need of being addressed and corrected, must be carefully examined by everyone who is involved in maintaining law and order, particularly those charged with the responsibility of law enforcement.
No doubt, this article might upset the apple-cart of those in whose garden it may have fallen, of the intellectually challenged or those with limited ability to think out of the box. Nevertheless, this comprehensive, objective, intellectually-sound treatment of an issue that is critical to our personal safety and psychological well-being is worthy of a second read, this time with open-mindedness and an eye of objectivity.
The article clearly highlighted the inertia, to the point of acceptance, with which disorder is met at various institutions and at every level of our society.
It explored various issues surrounding authority, including misconception of the term itself, disregard for, inability to exercise and abuse of it, noting them as major contributory factors to the widespread phenomenon. The brigadier also deemed correlational the persistent ineffectiveness of crime-fighting measures adopted, usually reactive in nature, and the inability to make a decisive, frontal attack on a major source of the problem termed "rampant disorder."
It was absolutely refreshing to read a well-developed, well-written, deeply analytical article which came from a high-ranking officer, from the bowels of our own armed forces, considering the general public's perception of the intellectual barrenness of those in such positions of authority.
I therefore wish to congratulate and to thank the writer for having produced such a thought-provoking article which has helped to dispel public notion that no one really understands the dynamics of crime, including the crippling fear that we all experience on a daily basis.
We look forward to some more intellectually stimulating, informative articles on other issues, not only from Brig Gen Phillips-Spencer but also from other equally bright officers who are caring and confident enough to share their knowledge and opinions in a public forum. It is only through the encouragement of such that we will demonstrate genuine commitment, rather than lip service, to the democratic principle of free speech.
Now the dilemma of convincing all arms of law enforcement to translate these practical ideas into effective action.