The "Anarchist" Cop
Ruby Toogood | 20.02.2002 14:56
Commander Brian Paddick of Lambeth Police first visited the bulletin boards at www.urban75.com in early January after it appeared that one of his officers was posting racist and inflammatory comments there. He became interested in the debates about Brixton, drugs and policing and stayed to join in, posting as ‘Brian, the Commander’, and informally seeking the views of those using the boards on policing the area. Urban75 is a non-profit site based in Brixton, with busy bulletin boards covering a range of topics including direct action/protest, music, drugs, football, photography and the Brixton area. Before Paddick's appearance on the boards he had already been discussed favourably by board members for his refreshing attitude in the Lambeth Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Police Forum (he himself is gay), for the go-easy cannabis policy in Lambeth which he masterminded and for his indifference to pursuing recreational drug users; his appearance on the boards sparked intense debate about drugs policy in the UK, as well as bringing him respect from many for his willingness to listen.
One board member, 'boomclick', said 'Like a lot of U75ers I have a basic antipathy towards the police, having had very few positive experiences with them and several negative ones. Brian has done his best to fit in with the tone of the boards without losing his professionalism, has listened, responded to points and made some good points himself. I have several friends who work in the drugs field, have told them about what's happening with this thread and they've signed up to the site and contributed themselves.' The editor and owner of urban75, Mike Slocombe stated 'It's rare to see a cop willing to embrace new technology and use it to reach out to a community, and with Brixton's unique set of problems, a fresh approach can only be welcomed.'
It was inevitable that sooner or later his postings, written in an informal style, would catch the eye of the press and on Monday 18th of February the Big Issue published an article on the subject which was rapidly taken up by local and national media. Remarks were quoted wholly out of context, such as this:
'The concept of anarchism has always appealed to me. The idea of the innate goodness of the individual that is corrupted by society or the system. It is a theoretical argument but I am not sure everyone would behave well if there were no laws and no system.'
This was a reply to a debate about the Brixton Movement for Justice March earlier this year, in particular to one board member's posting about her anarchist beliefs. In essence, it was the (diplomatically worded) response familiar to many anarchists "nice idea, but it'll never work". This has been used in the media to imply support for anarchism; the front page of Tuesday's Evening Standard was headlined ‘Anarchy Is Attractive, Says Yard Commander’. Former policemen and representatives of the Police Federation have weighed into the fray, calling for action to be taken against Paddick for bringing the service into disrepute. Paddick is clearly unpopular in some quarters already because of the go-easy cannabis policy. Coincidentally, it seems, he went abroad on leave as the story was breaking and is therefore unavailable for comment. It appears that the commander has not broken any disciplinary code, but Scotland Yard are reported by the Guardian as saying that they could not comment until his return as they had no way of verifying that the comments were his.
The bulletin boards experienced a massive influx of visitors on Tuesday, presumably a combination of journalists and those who had seen the story in the media. The effects of this invasion on the online community of urban75, a community which is much valued by its users, remain to be seen.
Threads from the bulletin boards:
Guns/Crack, The Commander- your opinion please-
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=7&x=7&y=16
Brixton Movement For Justice March-
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=361
Lambeth LBGT Police Forum
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=366
RubyToogood (urban75 board user)
One board member, 'boomclick', said 'Like a lot of U75ers I have a basic antipathy towards the police, having had very few positive experiences with them and several negative ones. Brian has done his best to fit in with the tone of the boards without losing his professionalism, has listened, responded to points and made some good points himself. I have several friends who work in the drugs field, have told them about what's happening with this thread and they've signed up to the site and contributed themselves.' The editor and owner of urban75, Mike Slocombe stated 'It's rare to see a cop willing to embrace new technology and use it to reach out to a community, and with Brixton's unique set of problems, a fresh approach can only be welcomed.'
It was inevitable that sooner or later his postings, written in an informal style, would catch the eye of the press and on Monday 18th of February the Big Issue published an article on the subject which was rapidly taken up by local and national media. Remarks were quoted wholly out of context, such as this:
'The concept of anarchism has always appealed to me. The idea of the innate goodness of the individual that is corrupted by society or the system. It is a theoretical argument but I am not sure everyone would behave well if there were no laws and no system.'
This was a reply to a debate about the Brixton Movement for Justice March earlier this year, in particular to one board member's posting about her anarchist beliefs. In essence, it was the (diplomatically worded) response familiar to many anarchists "nice idea, but it'll never work". This has been used in the media to imply support for anarchism; the front page of Tuesday's Evening Standard was headlined ‘Anarchy Is Attractive, Says Yard Commander’. Former policemen and representatives of the Police Federation have weighed into the fray, calling for action to be taken against Paddick for bringing the service into disrepute. Paddick is clearly unpopular in some quarters already because of the go-easy cannabis policy. Coincidentally, it seems, he went abroad on leave as the story was breaking and is therefore unavailable for comment. It appears that the commander has not broken any disciplinary code, but Scotland Yard are reported by the Guardian as saying that they could not comment until his return as they had no way of verifying that the comments were his.
The bulletin boards experienced a massive influx of visitors on Tuesday, presumably a combination of journalists and those who had seen the story in the media. The effects of this invasion on the online community of urban75, a community which is much valued by its users, remain to be seen.
Threads from the bulletin boards:
Guns/Crack, The Commander- your opinion please-
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=7&x=7&y=16 Brixton Movement For Justice March-
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=361 Lambeth LBGT Police Forum
http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=366 RubyToogood (urban75 board user)
Ruby Toogood
Homepage:
http://www.urban75.com
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
Ello Ello Ello
20.02.2002 23:46
I think the most that Brian can be charged with is a slight misunderstanding of anarchism. I think he actually back-handedly just agreed wholly with the principles of anarchism... perhaps you just don't realise you aren't an anarchist but a nihilist???
Anyway, here's the man's own words... did you read them or just the syndicated hatchet job?
_________________________________________________________
Brian
The Commander
Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Vauxhall
Posts: 25
Where do I start? I am here as myself. I am a police officer and a human being. These are my own personal views. I am not giving some official view. I am doing this in my own time because I want to. I think it is really important that I talk to all sorts of people from all backgrounds to make sure I have a more balanced view of life. I really want to try to move beyond all the hate and anger people feel although I understand people are expressing how they really feel. This board provides an important place where people can express themselves and I would like to express myself as well.
I have to say that I was not in charge of the policing of the march although I was there. These things are a very difficult call. It is about balancing rights. It is about balancing the rights of people who want to protest against the rights of others not to have their properties broken into and their belongings stolen. We can debate forever whether the police were justified or not. The last march in the summer was convened by the same people, involved many of the same people and followed the same route. The organisers refused to tell the Brixton Superintendent what route they planned to take as required by the law. Deja vue or reasonable cause to think their might be trouble again? Shop owners and many others in the community said the police should have known their was going to be trouble and the police should have prevented the looting. I think what the police did was within the law and reasonable. Others will disagree.
I think there are many problems with the criminal justice system from start to finish. In general I think it does more good than harm and until we can think of a new system or changes to the existing one, I have to try to make it work the best it can for everyone. I am no lapdog of my political masters. I do not say the things I say here or elsewhere to impress anyone. I say what is on my heart and it often gets me into trouble, mainly with my bosses!
I love people. I love Brixton. I want to do my best for everyone, particularly for those whose voices are not often heard. Two choices I guess. You either think this is some kind of propoganda or a genuine attempt to broaden my understanding.
By the way, one of my tutors at Oxford said that whilst I was bright, he did not think I would do very well at exams as I had difficulty expressing myself on paper. So, sorry about the spelling and punctuation but I write like I speak. Never mind the gift wrapping, look at the content!!
Brian
The Commander
Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Vauxhall
Posts: 25
Hi Guys. Sorry it takes me a while to get back to you but I am very busy in the week! Anyway...
The concept of anarchism has always appealed to me. The idea of the innate goodness of the individual that is corrupted by society or the system. It is a theoretical argument but I am not sure everyone would behave well if there were no laws and no system. I believe there are many people forced into causing harm to others by the way society operates at the moment. They would not have to behave in this way if the current system did not exist or was radically different. What am I saying here? I am saying that the way society operates at the moment, with all the injustice and discrimination, pushes people to act against their nature to damage and harm others. Eradicate all injustice and discrimination - would that stop all people damaging and harming each other - I am not sure. If there were still people who would continue to exploit and harm others, how would you stop such injustice if you had no system, no society?
ginger nuts there are certainly higher rights than property rights. The right to physical and spiritual well-being of the individual must be higher rights. Why should people have arbitrary rights over pieces of the world? Of course if you believe in the innate goodness of the individual, in the absence of 'the system' all would work to the good of everyone - each according to their ability and each according to their need. Have we not tried this? The problem is, if individuals are innately selfish, out for what is in it for them, they will only or primarily work for the good of themselves and not 'the whole'.
"Do as you will but harm none" is the principle that I try to work to, within the constraints placed upon me. I have the freedom of my own conscience to the extent of the priorities I place on what I and my officers do. Does smoking small amounts of cannabis harm anyone else other than the smoker? I do not think so. Can I, as a police officer not enforce the law and get away with it. Probably not. So I introduce a pilot scheme where we do not arrest people for cannabis in Lambeth.
I am looking at a new strap line for the police in Lambeth - and this is spooky because I thought of it before I read your latest post ginger nuts - "Don't damage my community". What does that mean? I guess you could translate it into "DO as you will but harm none." Is this dialogue influencing me or am I not miles away from the thinking of my fellow posters?
Every circumstance is different and that is why police officers have discretion to enforce the law or not in a particular situation. It has advantages and disadvantages. It is open to getting much better resolutions and it is open to abuse.
freethepeeps I think the Editor says Whisey is Colin (obviously a master of disguise!) I e-mailed Ed. from work yesterday. Ed. if you did not get it call me in the office!
What good does the criminal justice system do? Well I guess it has the potential to enforce the "do as you will but harm none" ethos. If you do harm someone else, should there not be a sanction against that person. Now I am not saying that tradtional punishments like prison are the right or the most effective sanctions, but the criminal justice system has identified those who have unjustifiably harmed others and 'punished' them for that.
Of course whether you are talking about philosophies or religions or legal systems, they are all the products of, or have been interfered with, by human beings (even if the Bible is the Word of God, it is interpreted by human beings, etc.) I think all human beings are fallible and whatever you are talking about, if there are humans involved, it is flawed. The criminal jusice system is flawed.
I am trying to do the best I can in the job I do within the system that currently exists. I guess that puts me in the other camp to those who want to overthrow 'the system'. I do not treat all of anything as criminals - all protestors, all black people, all straight people (!) I try to treat each individual as an individual. Do not treat all police officers as lapdogs of a corrupt capitalist system. Dogs sometimes turn on their owners. They are notoriously unpredictable and they can end up working against the people that keep them! Kept dog is OK, I can live with that. Lapdog - in your dreams!
I admire anyone who passionately believes in their cause and I will defend their right to promote that cause provided they "harm none".
Mustermann
A quick reply
21.02.2002 13:21
RT
RubyToogood
Permission to speak sir?
22.02.2002 02:38
;-)
Mustermann