Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Showing support for law enforcement officers

We keep reading stories about citizens paying for military members coffee and meals. Why not do it when we see some LEOs out? They have a job to do. I've received one speeding ticket and I was speeding headed to Myrtle Beach, SC. The SC trooper was very professional. They have a job to do. Most are good folks and just doing a job most can't or won't.

Many LEOs often frequent places that don't make them pay. Or, perhaps that's changed in the last 20 years.

That's a very nice thought, but the best thing you can do is just say "hello" and treat them like you would anyone else.

We're not allowed to take free anything from businesses. Discounts are ok if we don't ask for it and it's not more than 20%. In those cases, the accepted unwritten practice is to tip a minimum of the amount discounted. We usually tip much more.

I'll tell ya what. While a cup of coffee would be nice, I'd much prefer a smile, wave, howdy do, etc. You might be surprised at how many people (normal average everyday people) lower their eyes and won't engage even when I say hi. I think it's a normal response as a lot of people associate us with the bad feeling of lights in the rear view. The exception is people with small children. I love hanging out with the little kids and answering the funny questions and giving high fives.

It'd be nice to just have people not be nervous and just say hi. Heck, that'd be nice off duty too.

Ha. You posted that while I was typing!

I second the LT on this one. I will say that here in San Francisco, a lot of people will come up to me and say,"Thank you." They look around and over their shoulder before they do that, or mutter it from the side of their mouth while walking past. They feel uncomfortable or are very nervous being seen doing anything positive for a cop. But they are extremely grateful.

From black females in the projects to middle aged hipsters, a lot of them are getting more and more nervous about societal unrest.

I wish we could post some of the rioting footage that your agency has...every one of those "protesters" wanting to get a case. (When I visited SF, I had go down to the "Tenderloin", just to feel "at home". )

Well, OK, but don't get cranky when I start humping your leg....

I always say hello and ask how they're doing. I've done that for years. I went in the AF in '72 and then went to several unfriendly countries so I learned fast how a smile and a kind word helps!

I will say Thank You no problem

If I was inclined to purchase a meal for a random person, it'd likely be a plumber.

I didn't think Law Enforcement where allowed to take gifts of any kind . Legally that is.

I'll echo what's already been said. A nice hello or howdy is always welcome and more than enough.

There is a lot of posts on Youtube about the San Francisco PD. Most of the best stuff has been taken down. The activists do not want to show the truth about their heavy handed tactics. Brought to you by the International Socialists Workers Party workshops and local colleges.

And if the Tenderloin is home, I have a lot more respect for you. There is nothing like the smell of feces, urine, and despair to make you appreciate living outside of the City.

just remember as you look the LEO in the eye and say "howdy"

don't ask him how fast his draw is while you're reaching to grab your wallet so you can buy him a cup of coffee


you don't wanna go there

Yup. And, please, don't use the worn out gag of telling anyone you're with that the cop are there to take them away. Particularly kids.

Thanks for your support!

Ed

Years ago when I was midnight shift 1, we alll met one morning for our shift Christmas breakfest (party) at Cracker barrel. There about 21 of us(one big table) in plain clothes. We ate our breakfest and asked for our bill. The waitress told us a unidentified customer had already plaid our bill. We wanted to know who had paid it but she said they had already left the building. The message they left for us was thanks for all you do! We were speachless! We then gave all our shift funds set aside for the breakfest to our waitress and wished her Merry Christmas. She cried and told us it was the largest tip she had ever received! That morning is one that I will never forget! I just wish I could find and thank the person who paid our bill! Every now and then I am reminded that there is good and honesty in this world, that morning is one the I will never forget! Thanks to that one unknown person!

Ed can probably attest to it better than myself

but ime, we have some dang good guys that serve here in AK

No law against it. But quite a few agencies, including the ones I worked for (Alaska State Troopers and Anchorage Police Department), had strict prohibitions against it.

If a citizen paid for our meal, we were to leave a tip commensurate with not only a normal tip, but the cost of the entire meal. Discounted meals were also a no-no. We could be disciplined for even accepting a free newspaper or cup of coffee.

"It's not only the impropriety we must avoid, but the appearance of impropriety" is the principle behind this.

Ed

It happens from time to time. I'm cool with a nod or hello like I give.