Post Hoc Ergo Proper Cop

Shockingly enough, an officer of the Metropolitan Police has been promoted from constable to sergeant after being found guilty of misconduct. The move prompted Britain's leading liberal newspaper to avail itself of the interesting term despite. In its Applied Journalese sense, the word means something rather more nuanced and sophisticated than its vulgar usage implies; as in Manifetso pledge broken despite being made by British politician, or Russia annoyed despite being repeatedly poked with a sharp stick, or even Cressida Dick promoted despite shooting death of immigrant. Despite the exalted tradition of free speech and robust humour among British bobbies, the mayor of London was apparently not amused, and may have distinguished himself as the first politician from either wing of the British Neoliberal Party to react to an abuse of police power with anything more severe than a smile and a wave.