LEO freebies

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You know, I know I'm getting old, but I have all ideas that the same thing such this has been going on since Sir Robt. Peele fielded the first 'Bobbies' in the Old Country. I don't think it has put a huge damper on society for businesses to express gratitude to their primary protectors.
Folks get 'irked' about the most inconsequential things, which seemingly has become fashionable in itself.
 
Our dept policy is:

"Thank you very much for your kind offer, but I cannot accept any gifts or gratuities as a matter of department policy. I am just regular customer that pays his own way."

My job isn't worth a freebie.

-Don
 
I was an officer for a couple of different departments - one in Texas and one in California - back in the 70's, mainly deep nights.

As most of the others have said, it was usually 24-hour places that found it to be a good business practice to have officers around from time to time.

The business owners and the poor employees who had to work all night wanted to show their support for the police, and from my standpoint it was nice to feel appreciated - instead of getting the kind of attitude a lot of folks have for the law.

I frequented different places different nights at different times, as the calls allowed, mainly for my safety - habit patterns can be deadly. Thus, I didn't eat only where I knew there was a police discount. If there was, I always left a tip that came close to the price of the coffee or meal, but never said a word if the tab was for full price. Nor did I "set up shop" in any discount eatery. I took a my break and went back out, since I wasn't private security.

And if a I got a call, or heard something on the radio that got my attention I'd leave the meal uneaten. More than once my meal was uneaten because some idiot was so drunk that he totally missed seeing my car and me, and wandered in to cause a problem.

So, it's not like the HPD gets free gourmet meals just because of the uniform.
 
Many years ago I managed service stations in Columbus, Oh. I always kept a large pot of coffee on because at the time I drank probably a gallon a day. Police, EMT, Fire Department personnel always knew they could stop by for a free cup of coffee. I did not sell coffee to the general public, that pot was for personal use. However I think a few customers also hit me up for a cup on occasion.

I didn't feel like I was getting any extra service for this coffee, though I did feel it helped having uniforms stop by at odd hours. Granted were talking only a cup of coffee here and not a meal.
 
I would always be embarassed when someone made a big deal out of giving me a free or half-priced meal. Generally, back when I was in uniform (midnight shift) and got "breakfast" at a local place ((Denny's or a diner) the bill would be written up as 1/2 the regular cost. When we left, we always left enough for the "retail" cost and more on the table as a big fat tip to the people who made those meals possible (the cooks & servers). A few minutes away from that night's Dodge Diplomat or Chevy Impala (guess my age!) exchanging "local info" with the town cops & Troopers was well worth the extra cost.

I also learned that you never asked a young woman working the overnight shift in a donut shop "hey, where'd you get that big bruise"?
 
I don't know what's wrong with a little show of gratitude, thanks or respect, or just plain being nice to someone who has a rough job/day.

Even in my little humble position, some people bring me homemade pastries, cookies, offer tea or coffee - just because they're nice people and they like me. It would be more of an insult to them if I refused. They don't expect me to give them a new fridge or new kitchen floor or a break on their rent as a quid pro quo.

It's a courtesy from courteous people.
 
It is definitely one of the major ills in our society.
That's what screwed up the economy- all that free coffee and meals. Can you imagine how much faster we could recover if that cash went back into circulation.......

It is my understanding that they don't even have to buy the gas for the cop cars. I see cops riding around ALL day, having a good time. Maybe if they had to buy that gas they'd stay off the streets and quit creating traffic.

I also hear some departments furnish ammo- what's up with that? Nobody ever gives me ammo........

Next thing you know, people will be expecting free gun forums........:rolleyes:
[/SARCASM]
 
3rd Gen Neal said:
I shouldn't have vented about that or worded it in a different way. I'm not looking to be a trouble maker here and lets just leave it at that. What made me post that was an unusually pesky LEO request which I'm sure is isolated. No harm meant and hopefully none done.
Click to expand...

As a P.S.-
I do appreciate this statement. :D
 
ohiobuckeye said:
Sooo...does that mean if there were no freebies or big discounts they would not look after you?....:)
Click to expand...

For one thing mate,They don't ask for it,I give because I want to.They use to drive by on patrol and i'd invite them in for coffee or tea.Sometimes they would come in other times they were to busy.Now they pop in to say hi not because of the free coffeee or tea but they become your mates.I don't have a food shop,I have a gunshop,the kettle is always on for anyone that comes in.I check and adjust their personal guns while we have refreshments.Am I safer because of it...If the bad guys see a cop at my premises I think they would hesitate to commit a crime.Some people hate cops because he or she caught them braking the law.I see a cop no different to you or me (Someone doing a job).
So to answer your Q.No.


Ken
 
I have better things to worry about than whether or not a local merchant wants to give free coffee to law enforcement! As long as there is no coercion involved, so what!
 
I'm not an LEO, but this has happened to me very often when I was in uniform. Not so much when I was around where ever I was stationed at the time. The people near AF Bases are used to seeing people in uniform. When I was further off base.. either home or traveling home, I'd often get freebies. I always refused, but they always pressed. I learned from a buddy it's best to accept their small token of gratitude than to offend them. Like he said... to them, they feel it's the least they can do for you considering what you've done for them.

Most of the time it was just something small like coffee. One time a woman behind me at a gas station made me let her buy my coffee, jerky and apple. Another time, someone paid for my gas. This was back in the days when you could actually pump before paying. I went in to pay for my gas and was informed that someone paid for me already.

I've also been bumped to first class a few times just for being in my blues.
 
My brother-in-law was a district manager for fifteen 24 hour gas stations. He told all his managers that police officers got free coffee and free fountain drinks. The actual cost to the company is about a dime a cup of either beverage.

Think about what stores are open at night. 7-11, White Hen, gas stations, etc. If a robber is looking to hit a store at 2am, where else are they going to go? Which store would they pick? The one that seems to have squad cars in the lot every once in awhile (getting out of the car, stretching their legs, engaging in conversation with the extremely bored employees) or the ones that don't give out a free dime's worth of coffee?

My brother-in-law was a realist. He said that if five different police officers from a shift all came in three times a night, he got fifteen visits for a buck fifty. Armed, trained security doesn't come any cheaper than that.

I once knew a guy who hated the police because he drove fast on the public streets in his non-street legal drag race car (Buick GNX with skinny front tires, no exhaust, and wide slicks in back) and he got angry because he was stopped all the time and got tickets for his illegal actions.

He started complaining at a party about all the free coffee. I told him I got free gasoline at the Amoco station and free groceries at the grocery store too. Heck, I just badge the airlines and fly free to the Bahamas every weekend and the resorts let me stay for free too.

I think he still believes that because he has so much hate inside....

My local shopping mall is near the Navy training base. Many of the stores have signs that read "10% Military Discount, Show ID." I guess there are people who get angry over that too. They figure someone is getting a deal and they're not. These people don't understand the military or cops performing a high risk job that serves their country.
 
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handejector said:
I also hear some departments furnish ammo- what's up with that? Nobody ever gives me ammo........


[/SARCASM]
Click to expand...


My neighbor is a cop, and HE give ME ammo. It's the stuff he gets a trade shows and demos but can't use.
 
Graft, bribes, perks? I call it appreciation. Now a days it seems that people spend too much time trying to equate everything that happens with dishonesty, bribery, or just plain "it ain't fair". You can't even show gratitude anymore without someone making an issue out of it. I've always wanted to own my own diner. I'd probably put myself out of business, offering free coffee and lunch to LEOs, firefighters, military, and the homeless.
 
I don't have a problem with the Policemen getting discounts or freebies. The job is stressful enough, cut them a break.
 
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