@_chain , you mentioned kind of a season/competitive threat system, I personally like the idea!
The problem APB's Threat System always had was de-threating, but for a simple reason, no matter if you were gold, silver or bronce, you had no real benefits from playing in higher rank - it was only way harder to win the higher you ranked!
We need BIGGER/MORE Benefits for playing at higher Ranks!!!
Thats just how humans work! Why should you have a hard time playing against good players, if you can get the same points/Weapon/Skins/... from crushing noobs???
Why do people grind like crazy in other competitive games? Because they offer those BIG SHINY REWARDS (skins, accessories, avatars, ....) every season that they can brag with in front of their friends.
It's that simple:
Give players at higher ranks enough rewards/benefits and they won't be interested anymore in playing against noobs and getting much less rewards!