Paying for officers' meals

**Pretty Boring Civi** · 08-22-07, 01:32 PM

Hi there. If I were out and about in Fairfax County, Va., and saw a cop eating at a restaurant or ordering behind me in the drive through, and I paid for the cop's meal without saying anything to the cop, would that get the cop in trouble. Cause that sounds kind of fun -- in a pay nice things forward kind of way -- but I don't want to get anyone in trouble.

**kjlaw** · 08-22-07, 01:36 PM

No I see no reason that an officer would be in any trouble or encounter any ethical problem the meal was paid for and there is no expection of special treatment from you or the business.

I have had this happen to me once before and I spent the rest of the day trying to reminber the faces I had seen in the restaurant to figure out who had paid for the meal.

**Pudge** · 08-22-07, 01:56 PM

No reason to be in trouble over it, and I'm sure it's happened to almost everyone at some point in time.

Most departments have some type of policy in place to not accept gratuities, however if we don't know who paid, you hardly can hardly argue that the person is expecting something in return.

**Pretty Boring Civi** · 08-22-07, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Pudge113

however if we don't know who paid, you hardly can hardly argue that the person is expecting something in return.

That's what I was thinking. If I don't identify myself, you can't be accused of giving me special treatment. Sneaky, huh?

**lewisipso** · 08-22-07, 02:53 PM

It doesn't happen often but it is a pleasant surprise. You will also remind that officer that not everybody hates the cops.
Nice of you to consider it.

**Sapper_132** · 08-22-07, 03:20 PM

I had this happen to me before as well. I asked the cashier who it was and she was like someone over there (as she points to a large crowd). I still have no idea who paid for it but if I could have thanked them I would have. When I'm not on active duty I've paid for other service members meals before and a good jesture.

**SaraJ** · 08-22-07, 04:03 PM

Wow! I do that all the time! When I pass a small restaurant and I see a couple of cops eating I go to the cashier and tell her/him I'll pay for their meal then I leave. I don't want any thanks, I'm not doing it for that. I want them to know that someone knows they exist and appreciates them.

When I lived in the States, every Chirstmas I would send a 5-lb box of Sees chocolates to the local police station. Again no name or anything. Same reason.

**Beans** · 08-22-07, 08:24 PM

We appreciate stuff like that. Reminds us that people out there do care.

**Hannibal** · 08-22-07, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

It doesn't happen often but it is a pleasant surprise. You will also remind that officer that not everybody hates the cops.
Nice of you to consider it.

Agreed.

My wife and I were out at my favorite Italian place where we saw a couple of soldiers and their wives/girlfriends. Needless to say I picked up their tab. I've also bought a meal at the same place for a couple of Detroit officers on a different occasion.

**4everlate** · 08-25-07, 10:55 PM

As a former restaurant manager, we received several company complimentary meals to use for whatever reason.

When an officer, paramedic, emt, fireman, etc., would want to pay, we would just say that "it has been taken care of"

So the bill was paid, not by another customer, but by the restaurant.

**snuffy2202** · 08-25-07, 11:15 PM

Thanks, everyone! It feels good to be appreciated!

**Cidp24** · 08-25-07, 11:40 PM

I've had this happen to me. It made me feel pretty good. A little embarrassed but good.

**phantasm** · 08-26-07, 05:58 PM

I've had people offer, I say no. After I was already working int he streets, saw one fo the guys who was just about to graduate in his patrol uniform heading into the city to do the new years eve detail in uniform. I paid for his coffee for him @ DD, he tried to say no, I didn't let him.

**Jks9199** · 08-26-07, 08:48 PM

It's happened to me a couple of times, too... Sometimes anonymously, sometimes not.

Either way, I'm still a little uncomfortable simply because I do get paid, and, in all honesty, well enough that I can't really complain. (Doesn't mean that I don't, though! :wink: ) It's a nice gesture, and always appreciated... but it's still not necessary.

**ipso608** · 08-26-07, 08:54 PM

I've had this happen a couple of times. Two different resturaunts, someone paid for the three of us on both occaisions. Before a couple of guys from interdiction and myself went to the interstate. Also two different parishes, neither of which we work

**Buzzy** · 09-02-07, 04:30 AM

I had someone ahead of me in the drive thru line at Whataburger pay for my meal a few weeks ago. It had been a night from hell, raining hard, flooding, my boots were soaked and stupid calls all night. Grabbing a burger on the run. Whoever was in that white Chrysler 300 with Texas plates... thanks, you made my shift so much better.

**OfficerResource.com** · 09-02-07, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by Pretty Boring Civi

Hi there. If I were out and about in Fairfax County, Va., and saw a cop eating at a restaurant or ordering behind me in the drive through, and I paid for the cop's meal without saying anything to the cop, would that get the cop in trouble. Cause that sounds kind of fun -- in a pay nice things forward kind of way -- but I don't want to get anyone in trouble.

I will be at Red Lobster in Robinson twp PA on Wednesday at 7pm if you feel like being nice!