I'm sorry, but politeness is not something you should have to even think about. Maybe I'm a dying breed, but we were taught to respect our elders, the authorities and act accordingly. Army training further instilled 'values' in me.
If that is dismissed as being old fashioned, then so be it. I've been kicked in the head and hospitalised for asking someone not to swear in front of my wife. Would I do so again? of course.
In the above situation I would politely inform the officer I know my rights (as I have been in this position before) and could he check with his bosses. If he decided no and thought I was being obstructive then I would back off politely, but ask the officer for his details and inform him I would be taking it up with his seniors. This would be done with no malice whatsoever and I would walk away.
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