How do you criticize police abuses politely?

In My Humble Opinion
1

While researching the case described here Is this a false confession? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board I came across the case here http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18019021#post18019021

In the first instance you have a person that looks more and more innocent the more facts you learn. However I have learned again and again on several boards that people get offended by the mention of police misconduct. Not by the misconduct, but by the mention of it. Part of it is my style, no doubt. I am not a good writer.

But the second post above, despite its sarcastic frame, seems obviously to be a friendly way to get opinions on the subject. If it were an empty ‘joke’ then it would be an empty joke. Does it not address a serious issue?

One case a penniless Rohingya gets sent to prison for life without parole on evidence that simply does not hold up.

Another case a police officer is ‘cleared’ of involvement in two disappearances despite much more certain evidence than exists in the first case.

If a person outright describes police abuses on any major board they have to tread carefully. For every response with facts or objective opinion there will be several whose only purpose is to defend law enforcers who commit abuses.

Aside from the second post being in poor taste, how would a person promote the first case delicately so it does not offend the people who feel obliged to support crooked cops?

2

Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

3

You’re asking how do you criticize police without upsetting the police apologists (who, by their very nature will get upset at any police criticism)? :confused:

4

That is like asking how to defend Obama without upsetting extreme right wingers, not possible.

The hard core police apologists will say well what was he doing getting in the way when the cop was firing his gun.

5

How do you criticize police abuses politely?

Always say “Sir”.

6

By not conflating them with abductions by extra-terrestrial life forms.

7

Aliens who abduct our women and children probably needn’t worry much about terrestrial police abuses. The aliens probably have bigger badder zap-guns than the cops do.

8

The answer: You don’t. That’s why people who don’t want criticism of the police (or anything else powerful or popular) will demand “politeness”; it’s a way of demanding silence without coming out and saying so. It’s always “polite” to submit, to shut up, to put up with abuse, harassment and oppression.

9

That is a fair point but that post had two elements 1) a sarcastic or stupid tone and 2) a pretty shocking event that I imagine few people have heard about.

The basic question though involves the other post.

The guy has already been in jail 6 years or so because he doesn’t have a way to get a competent lawyer.
He doesn’t speak English and he and his people are understandably intimidated by the system.
As far as I know his best chance starts with getting publicity for his case, since none of the organizations contacted about it, nor the police involved in it, seem to interested.

Note, I don’t know anyone in the case and only know about it from media and private research.

10

And keep your hands where we can see them.