It’s very hard to read covert hang gestures as anything but supportive, you’re right. But do all police hold those beliefs? I doubt it. But when these things are widely reported yet the police take no strong and public stand, I think tolerance is clearly demonstrated.

I want to see police members who flash the "OK-2-b-white" hand signal to face public consequences. until now, I hot heard of any such thing happening. when it happens, then I will stop tarring the force with the same brush.

Fair enough. I did search to see whether there was any public reporting of disciplinary action, or even corrective advice. I did not see any. I know that police are a broad church, with a diversity of views. What I would like to see is police not close ranks on criticism.

if you are not in the force, you are out. and that is the demarcation. only those in the force "understand". ALL those not in the force are "others" or "civies" or whatever. it's a club. only those in the force are in it. rules apply to us, and those rules are different to those in the force.