Official futility

Where else but England would cops unsuccessfully attempt to prosecute a college student 22 times for "impersonating a police officer" because he wears a faux cop outfit in his stripper routine?

I'm certainly fooled. (Pic is from the article)

Stuart Kennedy's been cleared of all charges each time, and taxpayers there are now outraged about the $238,000 bill they've been stuck with, as that's how much the combined police, court and Legal Aid costs add up to.

"Assistant Chief Constable of Grampian Police, Colin Menzies, said his force had a duty to investigate all reports of alleged criminal behaviour."

Except for 999 (British 911) calls and reports of auto theft and burglary, as the many English commenters on the story complain. Then the cops are nowhere to be found, and are presumably at one of Mr. Kennedy's shows once again, collecting more evidence.

"He was spotted by two plain-clothes female officers who asked if he needed any help.
When Mr Kennedy said he was a stripper, the officers watched him perform his act with batons and a spray at the city's Paramount venue before taking him in for questioning." (Emphases mine)

See what I mean?