A deliberate and calculated behavior exhibited by an organization or its members, particularly law enforcement agencies, where they feign misunderstanding or lack of capability to fulfill a legal or formal request for information. This tactic is employed as a means of evasion to avoid accountability, transparency, or the disclosure of information that could implicate the organization in illegal activities or misconduct. It is characterized by an outward appearance of cooperation or innocence, masking an intentional effort to obstruct justice or the rightful access to information. This behavior is passive-aggressive in nature because it avoids direct confrontation or refusal while actively working against the requester's aims to uncover truth or obtain justice.
This definition encapsulates the manipulative and obstructive nature of the behavior, emphasizing its purpose as a strategy to evade legal and moral responsibilities.
This definition encapsulates the manipulative and obstructive nature of the behavior, emphasizing its purpose as a strategy to evade legal and moral responsibilities.
The police department's refusal to provide the requested documents, coupled with their pretense of not understanding the clear terms of the FOIA request, is a classic case of passive-aggressive strategic incompetence designed to shield themselves from scrutiny.
by I Juana Be Free March 3, 2024
Get the Passive-Aggressive Strategic Incompetencemug. 
Digital devices passivate people.
We should be careful about introducing tablets in our school because research has shown that they tend to passivate students.
We should be careful about introducing tablets in our school because research has shown that they tend to passivate students.
by Jochen Lüders November 22, 2016
Get the passivatemug. by Fredthetimebomb September 23, 2023
Get the Passive Dudemug. A special case of robbing where a victim is forgetful of something and the thief disguises their crime by playing on the victim’s forgetfulness.
By reminding the victim of something that they forgot* at a time where they cannot retrieve it, it allows enough time for them to forget about it again, leaving the thief with the goods.
It’s a type of physical gaslighting that makes the aggressor appear completely innocent (despite their intent) and the victim seem as though they are irresponsible with their items**.
*The victim did not forget anything. They were robbed and convinced otherwise. This is important for the ruse to work.
**This happens with hoodies a lot.
By reminding the victim of something that they forgot* at a time where they cannot retrieve it, it allows enough time for them to forget about it again, leaving the thief with the goods.
It’s a type of physical gaslighting that makes the aggressor appear completely innocent (despite their intent) and the victim seem as though they are irresponsible with their items**.
*The victim did not forget anything. They were robbed and convinced otherwise. This is important for the ruse to work.
**This happens with hoodies a lot.
Jessica took Terry’s sunglasses. Terry was told that his sunglasses were left at Jessica’s apartment after a beach trip even though he always leaves them in his car. Jessica reminded Terry on three separate occasions that he left his stuff there only while he was at work or with friends knowing he’ll forget. Jessica finally stopped reminding him and kept his glasses. Jessica used passive thievery.
by anonymous February 20, 2023
Get the Passive Thieverymug. by The Original Agahnim September 8, 2021
Get the Passivemug.