The Donut Thing

[SnapShawt]

I've actually been asked if the "cops and donuts" image is true before, and another thread in this forum talked about two cops in Australia taking care of business after picking up donuts (which got this on my mind).

This being a general forum, I thought I'd address this. I thought it was common knowledge really, but that goes to show what I know.

Yes, the cops/donuts thing is accurate. But there's a reason for it. Of course, certainly not ALL cops like donuts, so don't generalize it. But there is a historical basis here.

Many many moons ago, our brothers of old on patrol who worked the night shift would get tired. Back then, convenience stores weren't open all night. NOTHING was open all night. If they wanted a cup of coffee to help stay awake and what not, they'd have to drive back to the station and get it there. There were no cell phones, and the radios way back then were much different (you can find them in any law enforcement museum) so there was no "backchannel" to go to.

However, donut shops began to spring up. You've seen that commercial before - "Time to make the donuts". Donut shops opened (and still do) VERY early. If they weren't actually open, they were there getting things ready to open - making the donuts.

Cops caught on and would begin to stop by on their beats to grab a cup of coffee and check up on the staff (which many times was only one person) to make sure everything was okay. The donut guy appreciated them stopping by like this of course.

They finally had a place on their beat in many cases where they could stop by and grab a cup of coffee.

The donuts themselves were just a bonus, and we rarely turn down food. It caught on over time in other places of course, and there you had the beginning of cops and donuts. It was REALLY about coffee, but it's all good.

History lesson over for what it was worth.

[smcc360]

The donut may not be nature's most perfect food, but it ain't for lack of tryin'.

Thank you for the origin of the cop's second-best friend (after K-9s, of course*).




*K-9s also love donuts, thus completing the Circle of Life.

[canuckofapeach]

Thank you SnapShawt. That was most illuminating - and edifying.

[noelchabanel]

I think the only people who can intuitively understand why doughnuts are so wonderful.....mmm, doughnuts....work either at a hospital ER, fire service, or rescue squad: they, of course, are practically the only other customers the cops run into at the doughnut shops in the early hours of the morning :D

>PS Butternut Dunkin Donuts ARE in fact freakin awesome.

[nikon]

It wasn't just about grabbing a cup of coffee. It stems largely from large cities where police are on walking beats (think NYC/Chicago). They would often go into donut/coffee shops to do their cases/paperwork to get out of the cold. Often when in those shops coffee and snack was in order on those cold late nights.

Personally, as a former fat guy, I love donuts. Butternut and coconut donuts from Dunkin Donuts are freakin AWESOME.

[greenhead]

I know that when my grandfather in law and father in law were on the patrol, the only place to eat was an all night diner and a donut shop and they told us this same story a long time ago. It was a place to get a cup of coffee, a meal and get out of the car (oh and take a pee). 24 hour places generally did not exist back then. I will say that (except for paczkis) none of the LEO's in my family like donuts.
Thanks for clearing up the donut myth.

[Nole795]

The difference between a patrol officer and a detective is about 500 donuts...

[cobravenom1]

Thanks for the history lesson.

I LOVE Donuts. Any shape, flavor or form. Thanks mom and dad for my high metabolic genes. A box of various (off-duty of course) and not an ounce gained.

Around my patrol area there are 24hr donut/coffee places. It is an unwritten rule that you park your cruiser out of public view when grabbing a cup or snack. I guess the general mentality is that we are trying to portray our department LEOs as examples of the health and fitness.

I'll trade carrot sticks for donuts any day.:D

[suzanne1020U.S.]

So I guess my theory of the "donut thing" has been conveniently
called a myth now?
You see my theory is way back in the 1940's there was an officer named Buck. Buck liked donuts! One evening his daily partaking of a donut saved his life! YES, IT'S TRUE! While in a shootout, Buck raised his mighty donut in the air blocking his chest, and thus...saving his life.
It also explains the hole in the donuts! HA!

My story is cooler! :D

Yes, I agree with you all ....I should write for a living.;)

[SnapShawt]

I fall very much into the stereotype. Donuts are a big weak point for me, and I indulge often and much! Coffee and donuts make life good

[noelchabanel]

I think buck's donuts were a bit stale. good for him he didn't dunk them in the coffee to soften them up :D

[nikon]

Thanks mom and dad for my high metabolic genes.

I hate you.

[Norm357]

[Taz_bb2]

Thanks mom and dad for my high metabolic genes.

I hate you.

Ditto! :mad:

I love donuts, but they do nothing but add extra weight...like I need any of that.:rolleyes:

But that's not to say that I don't masticate a few of them when they're offered! ;)

[jmac_52]

Is that the police station with a donut sign in front?

:D