CF asking for key worker discount

[rumblingtumtum]

Tonight I was in a small independent restaurant when a police officer (inspector rank) came in to collect a takeaway order. He was wearing full police uniform, as he was paying he asked if they did key worker discount "because some places do".

This really pissed me off. Firstly, he was in full uniform, if they did a discount they would have offered it.

Secondly, he has been on full pay for the whole of this pandemic, the restaurant has been closed for months.

Thirdly, him asking puts the staff in an awkward position, police are supposed to represent authority.

I would like to point out that I am also a police officer and I would never ask for discount like that. I think it pissed me off so much because I feel his actions have a negative impact on the representation of 'The Police'.

AIBU to be so pissed off or was him asking ok and I'm being irrational?

I'm away for the weekend so not in my own force area. I know in my force area there has been a lot on the intranet about not taking advantage of free goods and discounts as we have to be impartial, so maybe that's why I was so annoyed seeing someone of rank blatantly ask.

[googybob]

@dwiz8 did you miss the point about the fact they may in the current climate feel uncomfortable saying no particularly if someone is in uniform?

[BananaPop2020]

@rumblingtumtum I have a Blue Light Card myself and the app is pretty comprehensive. A lot of businesses will have the sticker in the window so any awkwardness is avoided.

Also, you mention it was a small independent restaurant, with is a totally different kettle of fish than getting a discount at Starbucks. I totally agree with your view on this.

[rumblingtumtum]

I think we'll agree to disagree @dwiz8 , he was in full uniform so clearly asserting himself as an officer.

National policy is that police should not accept favours/discount while on duty. It is not the same as nhs due to the time police do. So for example, say there is a fight at the restaurant, the restaurant may say the police didn't respond quickly because they didn't get the discount they asked for earlier / or the police showed bias to the staff because they get discount there.

Any officer will tell you that if they get a gif from a grateful member of public , even a small box of chocolates, they have to fill a form in and declare it to show transparency that they are not open to corruption or bias. This even applies to accepting free coffee from cafes. Not many do, but there's a big difference between being OFFERED a free cuppa and ASKING for a freebie.

[Jayaywhynot]

I'm a key worker, rail, I worked through the pandemic, I was worried about having to go out to work every day and risk infecting myself and my family, I also have an elderly mother who I was shopping for.
I wouldn't of dreamt of asking for discounts, I never identified myself to supermarket employees to queue jump, I'd get in the queue with everyone else after I'd done a long shift.
In a pandemic / emergency situation we all do what we have to or are expected to do so in my opinion yanbu

[SchnitzelVon]

Cheeky fucker! YANBU. Agree 100% with what you’ve said.

[googybob]

@TyneTeas I've read similar

[SchnitzelVon]

@AllsortsofAwkward the people in public services have been some of the few people getting a full wage these past 6 months....we’re in a recession, they need to be paying full price!

[BananaPop2020]

@Jayaywhynot I am a Public Sector KW as well and same as you, I didn’t once queue jump, flash my ID or gain any other benefit from the situation. It just felt wrong.

[user1493494961]

Very unprofessional.

[dwiz8]

@rumblingtumtum

I think we'll agree to disagree *@dwiz8* , he was in full uniform so clearly asserting himself as an officer.

National policy is that police should not accept favours/discount while on duty. It is not the same as nhs due to the time police do. So for example, say there is a fight at the restaurant, the restaurant may say the police didn't respond quickly because they didn't get the discount they asked for earlier / or the police showed bias to the staff because they get discount there.

Any officer will tell you that if they get a gif from a grateful member of public , even a small box of chocolates, they have to fill a form in and declare it to show transparency that they are not open to corruption or bias. This even applies to accepting free coffee from cafes. Not many do, but there's a big difference between being OFFERED a free cuppa and ASKING for a freebie.

Key there is on duty

How do you know he was on duty. Sounds like he had just finished a shift and was on the way home.

[dwiz8]

[quote googybob]@dwiz8 did you miss the point about the fact they may in the current climate feel uncomfortable saying no particularly if someone is in uniform? [/quote]
That's on them

It's not cheeky or wrong to ask if somewhere is offering a very common discount.

Many shops and restaurants are offering discounts for key workers.

[BananaPop2020]

@dwiz8 I would be surprised, in the current climate, if an Officer finished work and and did not change or cover up uniform before leaving. This is a basic safety and security policy.

[rumblingtumtum]

The police car parked in front of the restaurant, the fact he was wearing his stab vest, belt with cuffs , CS spray and asp, and his radio on kind of gave it away. I've been an officer almost 20 years.. I know what an officer on duty looks like!

[Shizzlestix]

I think that’s incredibly cheeky. My DH wouldn’t dream of asking.

[StatementKnickers]

YANBU and I think you should report this to AC12 immediately. Ted, Kate and Steve will sort it out.

[Coldilox]

Also a police officer. I have never asked for a discount. If one is advertised I will show my ID to show I’m eligible, but I would never ask about one - it puts people in an awkward position, and could be an abuse of position. He was a CF.

[BonfireStarter]

Yanbu. Its like all the publicity about a (few) NHS staff brazenly asking companies for freebies and treats on social media. Being offered is one thing, asking/expecting is not right.

[dwiz8]

@rumblingtumtum

The police car parked in front of the restaurant, the fact he was wearing his stab vest, belt with cuffs , CS spray and asp, and his radio on kind of gave it away. I've been an officer almost 20 years.. I know what an officer on duty looks like!

The issue here is you don't know what the situation is

He could have been ordering a take away for himself and others to enjoy when they got back to the station and just asked about a discount. He could have been off duty (unlikely but not impossible)

You don't have the facts therefore any judgement given is unreasonable.

[plimm]

You can have a discount on takeaway food if you work for the police?!?!

[TrickyD]

Where is Superintendent Ted Hastings when there is such blatant corruption to be investigated?

[CoffeeRunner]

I’m an NHS worker & cringe at people who do this.

If an NHS/Blue Light discount is advertised then fine. If it’s a place that you know has previously offered a Blue Light discount then fine.

Just asking randomly everywhere you go? Good god no. What is wrong with people?

[katy1213]

So why didn't you say something and shame him? How much do inspectors earn?

[Thedogscollar]

Complete and utter CF imo. I'm NHS only perk I've had is not to queue for supermarket this was at height of pandemic after 12 hr shift with no break and on again that night.
If inspector rank will be on over 50k pa so a couple of quid discount is a complete piss take.

[Nsky]

I work for a big chain, we just had to stop nhs discount, it went on a long time

[rumblingtumtum]

@dwiz8 I think as it's your DH who is the officer and not you, you should have this conversation with him about what is and isn't allowed.

Using a BlueLightCard off duty and not in uniform is not the same as ASKING for discount while on duty. Clearly he was picking up food to have on his break, no issue with that, the issue is that by rights asking for discount while on duty could be an abuse of position.

As I've said, I am a police officer, I have been for many years. I completely understand what was happening. He was trying is luck.