Is it legal to give cops a discount on food when the eat out?

TEFMLB

As a Police Officer I remember a class given in the police academy on Morals and Ethics. This class spoke in depth about free stuff. I my self refuse to get anything for free or at a discount when I got get dinner, or a drink. I usually tell them that it's my department policy, but I just dont want to pull them over and have them complain to my Lt. about me taking discounts and giving them tickets. It is illegal to give discounts to cops, but it is their business they can do what ever they want.

trooper3316

It is not illegal, but it is unethical and almost certainly against the department's policy.

We do have one store in town that offers free coffee to anyone who works third shift. This is acceptable, because it does not single out the police.

Laura B

IT DEPENDS ON THE DEPARTMENT POLICY. WHERE I WORK, WE ARE NO ALLOWED ANY GRATUIDIES.

DOOM

It's legal to give anyone a discount on food.

poopsie

restaurants for years have given law enforcement free coffee, and mabey pie, depending who owns the restaurant, that includes road workers and phone and electrical workers, and yes it is legal, don't know why it would be illegal???

California Street Cop

Its perfectly legal to offer it as a gesture of kindness, but them taking it leads to ethics issues.

ahsoasho2u2

OUR DEPARTMENT IN KING CO WA STOPPED THE PRACTICE IN 1973. WE USE TO GET A DEAL ON BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER AT A CERTAIN RESTAURANT. WHEN HIS SON WAS BOOKED FOR TRAFFICKING, WE WERE SUPPOSE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY. HE RAISED A STINK ABOUT FEEDING ALL OF US SO WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THAT RESTAURANT AGAIN. THEN ANY BILL WOULD BE PAID IN FULL NO DISCOUNTS-IF A DISCOUNT WAS GIVEN THE AMOUNT ON THE BILL WAS PAID AND THE WAITRESS GOT THE REST OF THE TRUE TOTAL AS A TIP.

katjha2005

When I was younger I worked at McDonalds and any officer that came in, in uniform or came through the drive through in a marked car always got whatever they ordered FREE....
I don't see the big deal... these men and women volunteer to do a job that protects us.. might as well give them FREE food or coffee.. it's the least we can do :)

Cammie

There is a huge difference between giving a public servant a cup of coffee and making illegal contributions to a political campaign.
A restaurants can give free food to whom ever they please.

Toodeemo

You want to avoid the APPERANCE of impropriety. So from an ethical standpoint, some police departments will discourage or prohibit officers from getting special treatment from restaurants and the like. That being said, it is not illegal for a restaurant owner to offer. Absent policy to the contrary, it's not illegal for a cop to accept. Sometimes people recognize the job these guys do and want to plush them out. In my opinion, if there is no fraud or bribery going on, it's OK in my book.

Alisa

It really depends on the boss or the owner of the shop, they decide if they want to give law enforcement personnel discounts, or in some case, free food.

cootersgirltwo

yeah but why? they are just like everyone else.. they aren`t any more special...

chill out

It's not only legal, it's encouraged. Seriously, many businesses offer police discounts on food in hopes that they will frequent their establishment more often. As long as the discount is not used to persuade an officer to look the other way or use it as a bribe.

Sandbaby327

Sure why not? As long as someone isnt trying to bribe them. Here at convenience stores the cops gets free coffee (state and local) because the clerks WANT them in the store.

TURANDOT

It is not illegal, but it could be unethical. As a public servant and government employee, he should not accept gifts from those he works for.

Gawd knows what the simple, first gift was for NYPD's former commissioner, indicted for accepting bribes days ago! Yep, the same one Rudy Giuliani had recommended so emphatically for homeland security...

Discount! Most get fed for free.

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