"Vocal minority" Immediately you are oppressive and presumptuous. This vocal minority are trying to put down cheaters. If you have an issue with their motives maybe you should do some digging as to why they are so cautious about the issue of cheating in apb, (i.e. ffbans.org, past abuse by g1). If you still remain stubborn then you should probably try to reason with them. Is it so wrong as to desire an optimal gaming experience?
"There's no possible way to know of what all the different players thinks of each others, and singling people out based on their "reputation" in the community is way worse than just grouping up with whoever is playing the game at that moment."
How can you say that cheaters should not be treated differently to others? Do you support them? If you are not doing everything to your ability to stop them you are aiding them or atleast your motives are flawed/elsewhere/pre-occupied. The particular player "Flaws" and other names, has been banned somewhere around 5-15 times and unbanned. Do you really think it is out of their control to know whether or not they may be cheating or had in the past? Since "name and shaming" is not allowed, I will just direct you to their twitch clips, which should be sorted by 'top'.
You also believe that setting rank to 255 is not inappropriate, stating it is somewhere along the lines of it being 'overpowered' to be r255 which is out of the control of said GM/CM. Game balance aside, why should a GM be given the ability to circumvent the entire system and have free rule over their accounts? Where is the incentive to progress our characters for hundreds of hours if we just verse opponents who cheat their way to maximum level? Do they set a healthy example?
Losing in a PVP game is bad, players strive to win as many games as possible. I am not sure how you could possibly have the opposing mindset. Sure some people may sit in social or dethreat on purpose but these are outliers. You think that a GM/CM should be able to play as they please because it doesnt affect anyone, however it strongly does.