Should city leaders follow same rules as cops?

[gdowkpc]

Recently a Krispy Kreme opened up in Clackamas, Oregon. As several dozen cars waited in the parking lot for the day before the grand opening, a Portland city commissioner arrived at the store. He emerged soon after with a couple boxes of donuts.

This story was originally run in The Oregonian newspaper, but they only archive back 14 days so I can't provide a link. There was no mention of potential impropriety.

My point is this. Krispy Kreme has plans to soon open a store in Portland, but not all the details have been worked out. This particular city commissioner is responsible for working with the chain to work out these details.

Did he gain an advantage, use official priviledge, or accept a gift or gratuity? This was the day before the opening and dozens of customers were waiting outside to puchase, but none were able to. But this city commissioner was able to.

I don't think it matters whether the commissioner paid or not. He still was able to aquire the donuts before the general public and was visiting in an official capacity.

This commissioner is also running for the Mayor's seat.

What is the difference between he and a police officer accepting free coffee, or a gift for a job well done? These are expressly prohibited in our directives. Why are police officers expected to live these rules when our bosses are not?

[zander_zye]

Yes. City personnel should be made to be at least as ethical as the cops. (as I have pointed out before, most cops are 1000% more ethical than the average citizen -- just my opinion)

Accepting coffee is OK (except with the ACSD). There is a

[Jynkxxie]

Originally posted by zander_zye
There is a

There is a what Zander?

[Stump]

We are allowed to accept free coffee, donuts, etc. When KK first opened here, we were presented with several dozens of donuts complimentary just for being us. :D
We of course, accepted.

[zander_zye]

Originally posted by Jynkxxie
There is a what Zander?

Sorry - thought fart there!

With the ACSD, you would be fired for

1. Accepting any gratuity (coffee included)
2. Taking any illegal drug
3. Lying or stealing
4. Using any racial or sexual slurs on the job.

So far the Sheriff in 17 years on the job has never lost a civil service hearing based on a firing using these 4 criteria. He is a hard butt but very fair.

[gdowkpc]

Here's my recent story. Tell me what you think:

I made a traffic stop for a citizen driving 43 in a 25 mph business district. The road is 4 lanes and and the speed limit is poorly marked. However, it's good enough that a ticket can stick.

When I stopped her I found her pleasant and honest. She admitted she knew that the speed limit was 25 mph and did not offer any resistance or excuses. It was refreshing. I got good vibes from her and did not find her manipulative.

I looked at her driving record and decided to go with a warning. When I went back up to the door of her car, I told her I appreciated her honesty and asked her if a warning would be all the would be required to slow down. She said as if it were a dumb question, "Yes".

I was satisfied that I had saved another life.

Later that day, there was a thank you card and a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks in my mailbox at the precinct. I have had citizens send a compliment through to IA for traffic stops before, and that may have been a little more appropriate, but this is what she chose to do.

My Sgt got wind of it and insisted on telling me that accepting the gift certificate would violate G.O. and I could be displined.

GREAT!

I didn't expect the gift certificate and I don't believe this was an exchange for not getting the ticket. There were no negotiations at the car and I would have issued the warning anyways.

Had the driver tried to give me the gift certificate in person, I would have declined it but thanked her. But this was left in my box. Am I required to drive to her house to return it? Would this offend? Shouldn't I just be gracious?

I found out later that this woman's family is well known in the police community. They are pro-police and told other officers, since the stop, to relay a message of thanks for not citing.

The kicker is...I don't even drink coffee and haven't been in a Starbucks for a long time. But I could be potentially disciplined for 'accepting' a gift.

[gdowkpc]

I also contend that I never 'accepted' the gift. It was placed in my box against my knowledge.

I have never used the gift card. Am I culpable because I have not returned it?

[Zendik]

Gdowkpc, feel free to send the gift certificate to
P.O. Box 66011
Portland, Or.
97290
!!!!!!

[gdowkpc]

HAHAHHAHA!

[Jynkxxie]

Yeah here too!

I think it was just a nice gesture...Not a T.I.P. if you know what I mean.

Hell if I EVER just get a warning, LOL, I think I may do the same thing.

[Zendik]

City leaders are politicians, right? Of course they should have special privledges and outragous pensions, after all they put it on the line everyday, right..... They build America, make up the rules, bleed, heal the sick and have minibars in their offices.... We should have rotating squads of citizens that wash their clothes and cars and even carry them around on our backs.......

[txinvestigator1]

Just include that indicates how appreciative you are of her support, but your boss has forced you to return it.

[tommygenewoolworth]

If I could weigh in:

As you know LE is held to a higher standard ethically, than the average citizen or political figures.

If we applied our code of conduct to political figures ...... very few would be able to continue in their professions.

I believe what seperates us from policitial figures is our "Code of Conduct". Politicans are not required to swear to an oath or follow the provisions of our Code.

True they take oaths to protect and defend the Constitution of US and the laws of their reprecetive states. This is different than LE swearing to the four paragraph provisions of our Code.

Just my two cents

tommygene

[mcsap]

Why not donate the gift certificate to the Salvation Army ? Who could discipline you for refusing a gift and than giving it to a non-profit org. ?

[gdowkpc]

What a great idea...donote it to a non-profit! I like it.

What about a prize for a citizen caught doing good? A good Samaritan or something?