Page 2 | A policeman in the supermarket ,would you do this?

Cushionseams · 27/06/2026 21:56

It's not uncommon, but it's shit parenting.
When I worked on a till you'd get ineffective parents saying 'the lady will tell you off' for whatever, I'd just look the kid in the eye and tell them I wouldn't.

Littlesarou · 27/06/2026 21:47

I agree OP its an odd parenting tactic these days but definitely one parents of previous generations took regularly. Comedians do skits on this: Peter Kay, Jason Manford etc
im more bothered as to why a presumably on duty Police officer if they were recognisable as so was doing their weekly shop during work hours/on shift - yes i know they are human and have to eat but they should do this in their own time like the rest of us mere mortals when tax payers are effectively paying them to peruse the yellow sticker bargains

CinnamonBuns67 · 27/06/2026 21:36

I wouldn't unless they was doing something that is illegal that they would actually get in trouble for when they reach the age of criminal responsibility (Being violent, stealing etc) but I'd only tell them that if they was old enough to understand. I'd never say it for general messing about/being naughty, that's just wrong, a mum up my daughters old school did that with her 3 year-old, he told her no they bloody wouldn't and to not tell him that. I want my children to respect the law, understand what behaviours would get them in trouble with the law but I also want them to not be scared of the police.

BCBird · 27/06/2026 21:27

Parents often used to say this sort of thing

BippityBoppety · 27/06/2026 21:21

Sadly it's not an uncommon parenting tactic but I personally think it's a pretty poor one. For one it's lying to your kid, secondly it's teaching them to fear the police which means they will be less likely to ask them for help if they get lost or in trouble. Another similar one is "Brush your teeth or the dentist will pull your teeth out" and then the parents act surprised when their child won't cooperate for check ups or preventative work.

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 21:12

girlfriend44 · 27/06/2026 20:25

No idea. But I think it's madness to suggest he shouldn't be in his uniform. It's a shame we don't see more police in supermarkets , might act as a deterrent to thieving.

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Agree. My dad was a police officer. When he had to “lift” drunk people, he would put them in the back of his police car and then drop them off at their parents house. Steaming. He said that there was no way any night in the cells was worse than the reception they got from their parents 🤣

JJWT · 27/06/2026 21:10

The police hate this. Its actually dangerous. They come into primary schools for exactly this reason, so that kids aren't scared of them and know to go to them for help etc.

Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor · 27/06/2026 20:42

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:30

What is odd is that the police officer would choose to go shopping whilst in uniform. Extremely unprofessional conduct leading to a further lack of respect for a 'force' already demeaning themselves with visible tattoos, fancy hairstyles, ear-rings, sunglasses and so on. (Not to mention the ludicrousness of 50/50 male/female police; sending small women to confront violent male criminals; dropping height & fitness requirements due to 'inclusivity' leading to unfit, out-of-shape 'frontline' police). Also 'baseball caps' absurdly replacing sturdy helmets; addressing the public as "mate" instead of "sir"' or "madam"...

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You do realise this is 2026 not 1946.

My local Police station is next to a supermarket and we often see police officers in there shopping for lunch, drinks etc. When my children were young I liked that they saw that police officers were approachable and ‘normal’ people.

Original poster

girlfriend44 · 27/06/2026 20:25

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 20:12

He was probably buying a meal deal.

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No idea. But I think it's madness to suggest he shouldn't be in his uniform. It's a shame we don't see more police in supermarkets , might act as a deterrent to thieving.

OP posts:

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 20:12

girlfriend44 · 27/06/2026 20:08

He might have been on duty, he might have been called to the shop, I don't know. I think it's reassuring seeing police around as you don't often see them today.

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He was probably buying a meal deal.

Original poster

girlfriend44 · 27/06/2026 20:08

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:30

What is odd is that the police officer would choose to go shopping whilst in uniform. Extremely unprofessional conduct leading to a further lack of respect for a 'force' already demeaning themselves with visible tattoos, fancy hairstyles, ear-rings, sunglasses and so on. (Not to mention the ludicrousness of 50/50 male/female police; sending small women to confront violent male criminals; dropping height & fitness requirements due to 'inclusivity' leading to unfit, out-of-shape 'frontline' police). Also 'baseball caps' absurdly replacing sturdy helmets; addressing the public as "mate" instead of "sir"' or "madam"...

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He might have been on duty, he might have been called to the shop, I don't know. I think it's reassuring seeing police around as you don't often see them today.

OP posts:

GabriellaFaith · 27/06/2026 19:51

Perfect. Teach the child to fear not trust the police 🙄

AmbeeBambee · 27/06/2026 19:40

girlfriend44 · 26/06/2026 13:48

This morning there was a policeman doing some shopping in the supermarket.

A family walked past and when the dad noticed the policeman in the aisle he said to his little girl.
Look there's a policeman. If your naughty round the supermarket he will take you away to prison. The little girl. Just listened and didn't say anything .
He made sure she saw the policeman and as said told her he would take her to prison if she was naughty.
The policeman never heard but I did . I was right by them
Would you do this?
AIBU to think it's a bit odd.

People have always said this which is why police try to build relationships with schools etc so children know they are on their side and not to be feared!

CaptainMyCaptain · 27/06/2026 19:39

Pessismistic · 27/06/2026 18:47

Op you don’t know how she behaves generally maybe he went to far with jail I mean how would a kid know what that is. I might say he will come and tell you off. But without knowing the truth your just guessing and I bet it makes the police smile that they can scare people.

You shouldn't tell your child anybody else will come and tell them off. That's your job.

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 19:09

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:58

50% male / 50 % female police officers deployed to 'counter' a violent mob committing a riot? 👍🏾

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And?

Ceceprincess80 · 27/06/2026 19:07

So the dad was a bit stupid. The kid probably knows this and she will go thru life thinking, shit my dads a moron

incognito1991 · 27/06/2026 19:02

I remember being told this when I grew up, there was also a community centre around the corner that I was told was a naughty children’s home and I’d be took there if I wasn’t behaving

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:58

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 18:51

I know. Total madness.

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50% male / 50 % female police officers deployed to 'counter' a violent mob committing a riot? 👍🏾

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 18:51

OriginalSkang · 27/06/2026 18:37

Cringe

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I know. Total madness.

Differentforgirls · 27/06/2026 18:50

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:30

What is odd is that the police officer would choose to go shopping whilst in uniform. Extremely unprofessional conduct leading to a further lack of respect for a 'force' already demeaning themselves with visible tattoos, fancy hairstyles, ear-rings, sunglasses and so on. (Not to mention the ludicrousness of 50/50 male/female police; sending small women to confront violent male criminals; dropping height & fitness requirements due to 'inclusivity' leading to unfit, out-of-shape 'frontline' police). Also 'baseball caps' absurdly replacing sturdy helmets; addressing the public as "mate" instead of "sir"' or "madam"...

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🤐

wizzywig · 27/06/2026 18:50

I feel this way when I hear people telling their kids that they'll tell their dad when they get home.

Pessismistic · 27/06/2026 18:47

Op you don’t know how she behaves generally maybe he went to far with jail I mean how would a kid know what that is. I might say he will come and tell you off. But without knowing the truth your just guessing and I bet it makes the police smile that they can scare people.

OriginalSkang · 27/06/2026 18:37

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:30

What is odd is that the police officer would choose to go shopping whilst in uniform. Extremely unprofessional conduct leading to a further lack of respect for a 'force' already demeaning themselves with visible tattoos, fancy hairstyles, ear-rings, sunglasses and so on. (Not to mention the ludicrousness of 50/50 male/female police; sending small women to confront violent male criminals; dropping height & fitness requirements due to 'inclusivity' leading to unfit, out-of-shape 'frontline' police). Also 'baseball caps' absurdly replacing sturdy helmets; addressing the public as "mate" instead of "sir"' or "madam"...

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Cringe

thefourthbeatle · 27/06/2026 18:30

girlfriend44 · 26/06/2026 13:48

This morning there was a policeman doing some shopping in the supermarket.

A family walked past and when the dad noticed the policeman in the aisle he said to his little girl.
Look there's a policeman. If your naughty round the supermarket he will take you away to prison. The little girl. Just listened and didn't say anything .
He made sure she saw the policeman and as said told her he would take her to prison if she was naughty.
The policeman never heard but I did . I was right by them
Would you do this?
AIBU to think it's a bit odd.

What is odd is that the police officer would choose to go shopping whilst in uniform. Extremely unprofessional conduct leading to a further lack of respect for a 'force' already demeaning themselves with visible tattoos, fancy hairstyles, ear-rings, sunglasses and so on. (Not to mention the ludicrousness of 50/50 male/female police; sending small women to confront violent male criminals; dropping height & fitness requirements due to 'inclusivity' leading to unfit, out-of-shape 'frontline' police). Also 'baseball caps' absurdly replacing sturdy helmets; addressing the public as "mate" instead of "sir"' or "madam"...

MMUmum · 27/06/2026 18:11

girlfriend44 · 26/06/2026 13:48

This morning there was a policeman doing some shopping in the supermarket.

A family walked past and when the dad noticed the policeman in the aisle he said to his little girl.
Look there's a policeman. If your naughty round the supermarket he will take you away to prison. The little girl. Just listened and didn't say anything .
He made sure she saw the policeman and as said told her he would take her to prison if she was naughty.
The policeman never heard but I did . I was right by them
Would you do this?
AIBU to think it's a bit odd.

I was once walking through Boots with Dd about 3 at the time, a Policeman walked past and I said 'look there's a policeman, that's who you go to if you need help' he looked and said ' that makes a nice change' which was sad really, I have never ever, and never would, threatened any child with a policeman