[dennisgorelik]

> I've known people that have been abused by the police

I've been abused by the police.

That did not prevent me from complaining to police when I got in trouble with criminals.

> For some there's really nowhere to go for justice.

Correct. But many victims still have ability to get justice. And it is very hard for potential perpetrator to predict if victim would complain or not.

So that uncertainty works as an effective deterrent, even if some of the victims are not going to complain.

[astrodust]

If you're white and male, sure, you can go to the cops and they may or may not do something depending on where you live.

If you're not they may think it's just hilarious to torment you, to ridicule you, or worse.

In some places in America, for many people, the police are the enemy and cannot be engaged with in any capacity for any reason whatsoever.