Gratuities

[Somebody]

I was just curious as to policies with other agencies on gratuities. I was just reading a comment in another thread about a place giving discounts, but didn't want to hijack.

Anyway, I know there are places (like gas stations, restaurants, fast food joints) which give discounts, free drinks, or some other "Public Safety" benefit. Now, most every agency I have been in contact with has strict rules against gratuities and gifts (for obvious reasons). My question is, how strict is yours?

Is it really an issue eating at a McDonalds which gives a PS discount? Or stopping by a 7-11 which gives cops free coffee, for example?

I haven't had that issue at my current agency (yet) but I saw it a bit more at my last one. I suppose this is more of an ethics question than policy, but what the heck, discuss :p

[Oldbillplod]

We get discounts had various places, usually food outlets, we get two for one at the cinemas and free bus and train travel.
A lot of companies give discount for electrical items, holidays, mortgages etc.
We actually have a website where companies only give discount to police so its not such a major issue here.
However I once had an Inspector (who we used to call the smiling assasin) who told an old lady that she couldnt give us the box of biscuits she had bought for us after we helped her out as that would be like excepting a bribe.
Still he did have the I.Q of a daffodil.

[Scruit]

I can see how larger gifts could be considered to put the officer in a position of being expected to return the favor... But free coffee at the gas station? The worst I see there is some may ask questions if that cop gives a warning instead of a ticket when the gas station owner is pulled over?

Still, there was that old security camera footage of the cop enjoying a coffee and shooting the shizzle with a gas station clerk and a guy walked in and tried to rob the place with a knife, not even noticing the officer - even looking at the officer long enough to tell him to stand back. Well, of course, he gets proned out at gunpoint. They call in the paddy wagon and the officer goes back to drinking his coffee...

(Dunno if that coffee was discounted or comped, but still... For law abidiging citizens it's never a bad thing to have a cop around... I'd give out free coffee if it was allowed and it meant officers would routinely linger in my store...)

[Toeknee112]

Very strict here. We cannot take ANY gratuity.

[NJTPD]

In my dept. it is not allowed its strickly outlined in our policy & procedures manual. Then you have companies that sponors some of our police events and tell us to come to them directly for discounts. Its a double edge sword and you just have to know not to take advantage of people . Even at the coffee shop i leave a tip just in case...

[hawkman]

We don't have anything here when it comes to gas station or food policeys. Some places give discounts or make it free, while others charge full price. I tend to go to the ones that give me a free fountain drink b/c it saves money. But, our gas stations are spread out so far here, some times its just who ever I'm closer too.

We have to go to the county next door for fast food anyway (Sonic and McDonalds), they both give 50% off. Other wise all we can eat is at one of two steak houses (no discount and expensive to boot), and one of two pizza joints. Every were else it is not safe for us to eat at including one of the pizza joints.

[121Traffic]

I can see how larger gifts could be considered to put the officer in a position of being expected to return the favor... But free coffee at the gas station? The worst I see there is some may ask questions if that cop gives a warning instead of a ticket when the gas station owner is pulled over?

Still, there was that old security camera footage of the cop enjoying a coffee and shooting the shizzle with a gas station clerk and a guy walked in and tried to rob the place with a knife, not even noticing the officer - even looking at the officer long enough to tell him to stand back. Well, of course, he gets proned out at gunpoint. They call in the paddy wagon and the officer goes back to drinking his coffee...

(Dunno if that coffee was discounted or comped, but still... For law abidiging citizens it's never a bad thing to have a cop around... I'd give out free coffee if it was allowed and it meant officers would routinely linger in my store...)

Not that I have a real opinion on this yet...

But I think that this is what agencies worry about with the free coffee, etc. It is like the store is getting extra protection and attention by giving out these "gratuities". This gas station got robbed, but had a cop inside. What if the gas station down the street that DOESN'T give out free coffee gets robbed? Critics would say that since the one station gave out free coffee, they were in a way "paying" for extra protection.

Eh I'm probably not wording this well, and it's not that I wholeheartedly agree with this viewpoint, it is just what I have heard from some administrators and ethics instructors...

[hwpd]

Our Police department's officers get gratitutes from some places in town. Such as 7/11 any drink(coffee, coke, slurpee) is free. Mcdonalds sometimes gives 50% discount, 100% discount(free) or no discount food. Subway always gives our officers 50% off.

In my opinion, free/reduced price meal is nice, but the thing is police doesnt do anything special to recieve those discounts. It is their job to protect and to serve. Therefore I think we should pay for what we get, it's just the store that woudn't take our money . Why for example Joe Smith who is a banker cannot get a free slurpee? Why is Susan Smith who is a nurse cannot get a free slurpee? you see my point?
Altough I'm not complaining about it... If they give us discounts and free food... oh well.. be it :D

[ngcsubutterbar]

this may have changed, hopefully it has, county/city my professor worked for had the normal no gratuities policy, but they didn't enforce it much when their chief sat next to them taking free food.

[Strijder]

Not sure of their policy, but the local officers I've ridden with have paid for their food every time. But then, they'll only go to a select few places since there was an issue with a fast food restaurant not too long ago.

[JBU2010]

My local agency here in Texas is somewhat different. Policy says that officers may receive discounts or free items if the store/restaurant/establishment gives them to the officer. The officer cannot directly ask for "his or her discount". Most places just give it to them automatically and it's a done deal.

[Coastie 585]

My PD is similar to JBU. I even get a discount when I eat on a ride. :D And im only an Explorer. lol

My PD does not care. They even have a bulletin board specifically for "Off-Duty" Jobs, and LEO Specials. Here is an example of one I say last week:

Got a squad car?? GET FREE RENT!!
At Jefferson Commins..bla bla bla...

They pretty much live theye, which would cost about 600$ a month. Saving them that money. But Jefferson Commins is one of the WORST college dorms here in Tally. lol

Thats probably why it has been there for a few weeks.

[Toeknee112]

My PD does not care. They even have a bulletin board specifically for "Off-Duty" Jobs, and LEO Specials. Here is an example of one I say last week:

Got a squad car?? GET FREE RENT!!
At Jefferson Commins..bla bla bla...

I think that's sad.

[Coastie 585]

Thatks alot friend. :rolleyes:

[Toeknee112]

Hey! No problem young man!