you eat....they eat.....buy em lunch if you see them in line at burger king or whatever.....next time i see a cop in line at 7-11 i'll spring for his snack/lunch/bev.......they deserve that and a lot more.
just a thought.
2007-09-06 09:17:53 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
It's a very nice gesture, but the Officer wouldn't be able to accept.
2007-09-06 16:00:14 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a great sentiment and the genuine offer would be greatly appreciated. I would assume most officers would politely decline so as to avoid any issues with Department policy regarding gratuities.
Is it a bribe? Of course not, and it couldn't be pursued as one no matter how you look at it. To me, it is an obvious expression of thanks from someone who understands that an officers job might, some days, be just a bit tougher than anyone elses.
To those who want the officer to buy you lunch... it can be provided free by the county if you choose. If not, embark upon a life of selfless service to your community and maybe, one day, you will be offered a free lunch.
To all the others who don't understand genuine thanks, as described in the email, spend some time doing something for someone else with absolutely no expectation of a return from that person. If you are reluctant to buy someone lunch, you are definately not going to do much more than that for anyone else in the world. Continue to hide behind the anonymity of the internet.
2007-09-06 09:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by wykedguy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Great idea. I used to comp meals to officers frequently as a restaurant manager. However you need to be careful, ask a cop in your state what the laws are. At the time I was in Ohio and once had an officer tell me I shouldnt do that due to conflict of interest law or something along those lines.
2007-09-06 09:24:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What a very noble idea. Thank you for the suggestion.
I had someone anonymously pay my lunch tab at a restaurant when I was on duty.
I was so touched by the gesture.
They knew about the gratuity rule, and circumvented it by remaining anonymous.
I have "paid that forward" more than once since leaving the Department.
2007-09-06 22:55:56 · answer #4 · answered by parfait 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't be offended when the officer says no.
Most departments have policies against accepting gifts (mine included).
It might also be misinterpreted by someone else in line seeing it, which would give me pause about accepting it.
It is a great sentiment though, if you feel that way just tell the officer "thank you" when you see one. Will probably even mean more than the lunch offer.
2007-09-06 10:32:46 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I always appreciate when people offer but unfortunately my department has a strict policy against it. For good reason, you start with a meal and the slope can go down hill to larger things for the wrong reasons.
A letter to the department about what a fine job an officer is doing would be much more appreciated come review time.
2007-09-06 13:32:14 · answer #6 · answered by Officer 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my State (WA) it is considered a bribe if you let the restaurant give it to you for free or if you accept it for half off just because you are in uniform. However, I work as a waitress and have had guests pull me aside for both military diners as well as police diners and ask me to give them the check. I always oblige and the military person or police officer usually are a little embarrassed about the situation, but nonetheless seem happy to be recognized for the work that they do.
2007-09-06 11:43:52 · answer #7 · answered by Rachel A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually in other countries, when you offer to buy a cop's lunch, you're bribing him not to give you a ticket. A friend of mine said she usually got out of a ticket after offering the guy 3 bucks!
And cops get to speed and goof off, they don't need a free lunch.
2007-09-06 09:28:35 · answer #8 · answered by Dave J 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You can if you want. However, many departments have policies against it. However, those are generally ignored and not enforced as long as the officer isn't taking anything as a "bribe".
I usually decline things like that.
2007-09-06 10:08:16 · answer #9 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They'll likely turn you down. Most cops would be afraid that you probably spit in it when he wasn't looking. I'm not kidding, either. That sort of thing happens more often than you'd like to know:
2007-09-06 20:47:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋