Discounts, is it true?

[Junior150]

Hey guys,

I heard that Police Officers get discounts at all sorts of places, gas stations and restaurants being the most obvious. I've even heard of officers getting discounts at large fast food chains such as Burger King, McDonald's, Jack in the Box, and others. Is it true that you guys get LE discounts at all of these places?

What is a place where you got a discount on something that you never thought you were shocked you got a discount there? What's the weirdest LE discount you've ever received?

Just curious.

[Kimble]

Hey guys,

I heard that Police Officers get discounts at all sorts of places, gas stations and restaurants being the most obvious. I've even heard of officers getting discounts at large fast food chains such as Burger King, McDonald's, Jack in the Box, and others. Is it true that you guys get LE discounts at all of these places?

What is a place where you got a discount on something that you never thought you were shocked you got a discount there? What's the weirdest LE discount you've ever received?

Just curious.

Generally, discounts are not the norm. Many departments have policies that outright ban the acceptance of any discount for their officers (ex: NYPD). Our department doesn't have any policies that I'm aware of that are in favor of or are opposed to LE discounts.

A gas station that we frequent in our patrol area gives free coffee and fountain drinks to deputies on duty because they are right off the interstate and like to have the frequent LE presence. Also, I know Bob Baumhauer's Wings has a 10% discount for all in public service (LE, FF, etc.), which covers anything you order other than alcoholic drinks.

[retdetsgt]

With my dept., it's an excellent way to become unemployed.

[Kimble]

I will also add that while some places may offer a discount, it is not within department policy to ask for one, or outright demand one based on one's position in LE (that will get you a quick visit to IA in no time).

[GoDirectly2Jail]

This question gets asked every 6 months or so around here. The "search" button is your friend.

[Johninaustin]

A couple of the little lunch places here. Standard procedure is to tip the discount back to the waitress. that way there is no argument and you don't hurt the manager's feelings.

Young college girls fight over our table.:D

BTW: It's a rare officer that will eat at any of the places you mention. First off, you never know when the cooks were last arrested, and after a couple of months on patrol the food REALLY sucks.

[Old Trooper]

Taking a free cup of coffee in many places is enough to get you fired!

[Junior150]

What is the purpose of having policies AGAINST the acceptance of discounts? What is so bad about it that it could get you in the unemployment line?

This question gets asked every 6 months or so around here. The "search" button is your friend.

With all due respect sir, if everyone used the search button for every question they have, there would be no point in having the ask-a-cop forums, it would be called the ask-a-cop databases. If you don't want to answer the question, feel free to not reply. Thanks.

[R1364]

departmtne policy says you take it, you take your butt somewhere else.

[retdetsgt]

What is the purpose of having policies AGAINST the acceptance of discounts? What is so bad about it that it could get you in the unemployment line?

Example: A guy with my dept was taking free drinks and such from a bar on his district. One day the owner asked the cop to tow some abandoned cars off his parking lot. The cop told him that it was private property and it couldn't. The owner showed up at city hall the next day with all the tabs the guy left.

Someone here put it very well. The only way a cop can buy respect is to pay full price for his meals. I don't know about you, but my intregity is worth more than a discount here and there.

[retdetsgt]

What is the purpose of having policies AGAINST the acceptance of discounts? What is so bad about it that it could get you in the unemployment line?

Example: A guy with my dept was taking free drinks and such from a bar on his district when he was off duy. One day the owner asked the cop to tow some abandoned cars off his parking lot. The cop told him that it was private property and it couldn't. The owner showed up at city hall the next day with all the tabs the guy left.

Someone here put it very well. The only way a cop can buy respect is to pay full price for his meals. I don't know about you, but my intregity is worth more than a discount here and there.

[R1364]

Deleted by poster

[Junior150]

Example: A guy with my dept was taking free drinks and such from a bar on his district when he was off duy. One day the owner asked the cop to tow some abandoned cars off his parking lot. The cop told him that it was private property and it couldn't. The owner showed up at city hall the next day with all the tabs the guy left.

Someone here put it very well. The only way a cop can buy respect is to pay full price for his meals. I don't know about you, but my intregity is worth more than a discount here and there.

I see. I just thought that people were giving discounts because you were civil servants and putting your lives on the line for the greater good. I figured it would be an insult to not accept the offer.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Junior150]

its an ethical issue, plus it pisses joe blow behind you in line off.
The ethics behind it are, your provideing a service, and takeing free stuf could be seen as taking bribs things like that.

and once joe blow see you get the free coffee, he demands to know why he doesnt get free coffee. which escalates into joe blow getting taken to jail for assult.

I see your point as well. Thanks a bunch.

[TPDHellhound]

I see. I just thought that people were giving discounts because you were civil servants and putting your lives on the line for the greater good. I figured it would be an insult to not accept the offer.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Here, Firefighters and Police Officers are offered free movies from certain theatres, but none of the cops take them up on their offer. I'm not sure about the firefighters.