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.

"He was trying is luck"

Indeed ee woz

yes @MrsTerryPratchett

Police here too. If he wanted to ‘just enquire about a discount’ surely that would have been more appropriate when he called to place the order?

Asking for it while in uniform is pretty unprofessional. Embarrassing for the staff and doesn’t give a good impression for anyone watching.

YANBU
I know someone who boast that she can flag her NHS identity cars to get to front of queues/discounts etc. She works part time in admin, never sees a patient and has been wfh for months!
And for a policeman's to do in uniform is very intimidating.

YANBU

Yanbu OP

That's abuse of power in his uniform on duty

It concerns me slightly that he's so brazen about it and an Inspector. What other perks does he think is acceptable?

As a police officer, you have got to have clear strong boundaries and be seen to have them.

He only asked ffs.didn't demand or threaten did he?you don't know who he was buying it for either.
Maybe enjoy your own time and stop looking for something to witch hunt about.

it is embarrassing , unfortunately some people don't care

My colleague was telling me she was trying to get an NHS discount on top of the eat out to help out discount the other day - so glad they told her where to go!

• He only asked ffs.didn't demand or threaten did he?you don't know who he was buying it for either. Maybe enjoy your own time and stop looking for something to witch hunt about.*

🤣🤣

YANBU. Ted would have slapped him with a regulation notice. Tony couldn’t even get away with a free breakfast.

People are being deliberately obtuse. There is a massive difference between a nurse or student asking for a discount and a policeman in full uniform.

The power differential makes it so.

I was Met for fifteen years.

Our policy was places like Nando's etc who PUBLICISE their emergency worker discount etc is fine.

You never, ever, ASK for a discount, especially from small independent places as it could be construed as bribery for better service etc. Not only that, it's rude as fuck, and as an inspector the greedy bastard should be able to pay for his dinner.

Oh for goodness sake, it sounds like he enquired politely, it’s not like he’d have arrested the owner if he’d been annoyed at being turned down. Poor sod has presumably worked all through lockdown, having to get close to people who may have the virus, and politely asks for a widely available discount. Guess people have quickly forgotten the whole premise of being thankful for keyworkers

Yanbu. Small restaurant's need much support to continue their business.
I'm doing my best to support Irish suppliers while shopping online it pays to browse. I found the perfect small outlet for bed clothes slightly more expensive but glad I found it.

It's mind boggling with all the bad press & criticism (some valid) the police have been having recently that posters like @dwiz8 cant see what could possibly be wrong with this scenario and actually write not every force is that fussed about enforcing certain rules & go on to call others unreasonable & wrong. WOW!

Not rtft but I agree with you OP and I am also a police officer.

@Jeezoh my friend is a Met officer who has worked at home throughout Covid & would never dream of doing this.

Guess people have quickly forgotten the whole premise of being thankful for keyworkers

They said no, does that make them ungrateful?

@TrickyD

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

Was just thinking Arnott be frothing all over this

I'm a nurse and my trust sent a strongly worded email around about people doing this, as they'd had reports of it happening. It's embarrassing that people would do it. I appreciated all the free stuff and discounts during the lockdown. But also felt a bit guilty as we seton a full wage and had secure jobs.

I do ask if places do the blue light discount, but it's absolutely fine if they don't.

YANBU, and I like your concern for the restaurants etc that have been badly hit by lockdown. You obviously have a social conscience, but unfortunately not everyone does.

I...can guarantee it is national policy that you should not ask for discount while on duty.
Why are you even asking, then?

Yabu he didn't ask for a special discount he asked if they did a keyworker discount. Many places do, he wasn't wrong to ask. He would have been very wrong to demand a discount when they don't offer one. Which he didn't do.

I do ask if places do the blue light discount, but it's absolutely fine if they don't

I do too if it’s a chain - I asked in Subway the other day. I don’t think I would in an independent place though

YANBU.
I’m also a nurse and the whole ‘free stuff’ thing pisses me off.
Admin/managers/wfh NHS staff absolutely took the piss IME.
Mind you the whole ‘front line key worker’ badge pisses me off as well.

An officer in uniform should not be asking about discounts.