RAPID DETERIORATION IN DISCIPLINE AND LAW AND ORDER – alarm bells are ringing furiously!

It would be unfair to state that the currently deteriorating standard of Discipline and Law and Order are the result of a constant campaign the Nationalist Party has mounted to discredit and besmirch the national Police Force. HOWEVER, it would be equally unfair NOT to state that their grossly irresponsible and disgraceful anti-Police barrage has not substantially contributed to this situation.

However, this is NOT a political piece but a review of a current state of affairs that is leaving many people perturbed as to where the country is heading as a result of this continual deterioration.

For almost 2,000 years this country was a colony of some racial cluster or other before obtaining absolute freedom some 40 years ago. With very, very few exceptions its people bowed to the tune “you must do this” or “you must not do that” and those that had to be obeyed - were generally obeyed.

The latest to impose for the final 160 years were the British, themselves, people with a most stringent code of orderly discipline that enabled them to compile the largest Colonial Empire the world has ever known, most clearly illustrated that a country as vast as India teeming with a population of millions was under the control of a few thousand British administrators and troops dispersed about the sub-continent.

In Malta, discipline was exercised by a considerably greater count of numbers because the country continually buzzed with the presence of the British Mediterranean Royal Navy Fleet and garrisons of troops.

Discipline permeated throughout, again with a few exceptions like Sette Giugno in 1919 and 28th April, 1958 when the country was in a state of turmoil for social and political reasons. Nevertheless, the presence of a disciplined Malta Police Force was also prevalent and largely respected.

When I was a boy 60 years ago, the mere mention of “a Policeman” served to reduce men and boys into thoughtful silence at the possible consequences of mixing it with “the Police”. They were large and burly, not over-endowed with IQ but responsible, reflecting a measure of strength and thereby largely maintaining Law and Order.

Since then the world has changed, and I mean the world. New found freedoms engendered greater liberty, giving “human rights” and exercising controls as to what the Police may or may not do. Their awesomeness began to dwindle and dwindle and in many cases turned outrightly into disrespect and disdain.

This has happened at an accelerated pace in Malta for a number of reasons. Primarily we are a Mediterranean race and unlike the Nordic and Anglo-Saxon races, Discipline and Law and Order are not regarded with any priority because “Go As You Please” prevails. In other words, it’s not “what I must do”, but “I will do what I want to do because I come before everybody else”.

Sadly, this totally mistaken creed and philosophy has become more and more paramount over the years and has manifested itself in an ugly manner with Police personnel being physically attacked, insulted, mocked and generally disdained.

Unfortunately, political administrators have held back, quite clearly because exercising measures of discipline in such a small country can lead to vote losses and even a small loss can affect the overall balance at election time and therefore, best to turn a blind eye. In addition, imposing heavy-handed Police actions will automatically lead to accusations of the country “turning into a Police state” – so to some extent, this is another deterring imposition.

Additionally, the Courts have to act within legislation in an era where “rights” and “freedom” are liberally disbursed and hungry lawyers are always present to ensure clients get their rightful measure in turn for a rightful fee.

Yesterday’s horrendous incident is probably one of the worst on record, even reducing Police Inspector Sandro Camilleri, coordinator of the Police Officers’ Union, to tears during a television programme. Even more horrendously, a 17-year-old boy will probably be arraigned for the incident and therefore he does not have a driving licence, has no insurance and unless he stole the vehicle, given the vehicle to use by an adult. Even more and more horrendous, he was previously known to Police for dangerous and reckless driving, even though under age.

Alarm bells are clanging furiously.

A continual barrage of Police denigration and mockery, continual accusations against the Police Commissioner and the Advocate General and institutions in general are continuing to enflame this lack of discipline and the determination of Law and Order.

ALBERT JEROME FENECH