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.

[Hepcat75]

I think it's tacky behaviour, especially given that he'll have been on full pay while the service industry has been repeatedly hit in the bollocks with a sledgehammer. I agree - YANBU.

[dottiedodah]

Well no harm in asking surely? Dont ask dont get as they say! Many police are stretched hard, as are all members of emergency services obv ! Not all Police men /women are equal in their outgoings either .Some will have little /no mortgage ,others may have a whopper! Some may be paying maintenance for a previous family ,some maybe single /childless! They can only say No!

[Winterwoollies]

I think YABU. He was only asking, he didn’t try to get something for nothing, did he? Poor bugger. I imagine his job is frightening and shit on a regular basis and asking if they did a ‘blue light’ discount for him is not hurting anyone. Unless I’ve missed an update where by he stormed out refusing to pay because they didn’t?

[Butchyrestingface]

I'm not a police officer but I do agree with you, OP.

So many in the hospitality industry are on the point of collapse due to what's happened, and those who have been on a full-time wage throughout should be the last to ask for discounts. Especially now when restrictions are beginning to lift.

[Butchyrestingface]

Not all Police men /women are equal in their outgoings either .Some will have little /no mortgage ,others may have a whopper! Some may be paying maintenance for a previous family ,some maybe single /childless!

Just like the rest of the population then?

[enders1]

@Butchyrestingface just about to post that!

[Jaxhog]

I wish I could say I'm surprised. This Pandemic has definitely brought out the worst in people in terms of greed and selfishness.

[jolokoy]

It's wrong to ask for discount as a uniformed officer because of the power you have to make life difficult for anyone who refused. This doesn't mean that you ever would do that, just that it's the responsibility of all empowered agents of the state to be aware of the authority and power they hold over citizens and not use it for their private benefit.

Or more succinctly: Asking for money when in uniform, because you are in uniform, clearly contravenes the Nolan Principle 1.2 - Integrity - financial and material benefits.

[enders1]

@Winterwoollies & @dottiedodah you can't see how this could possibly be deemed in appropriate? Even after lots of posters have given examples & other police workers have commented that it's wrong.

[enders1]

@jolokoy this, this, this. People will still see no harm though 🤦🏼‍♀️

[rumblingtumtum]

I think most people understand why it was wrong. The posters that don't get it seem to not understand the difference between enquiring about blue light card discount when not on duty and asking for discount when on duty... which is the issue... power imbalance/abuse of position.

[rumblingtumtum]

@Winterwoollies I think you missed the bit where I said that I am a police officer myself so I know exactly how scary and hard the job can be! I also understand the power the uniform gives me and why I should not ask for favours when wearing it.

[cabbageking]

Lots of places offer officers a discount.

Pizza hut offer 25%. There is nothing wrong with asking if they offer a discount. Demanding a free coffee etc would be a problem.

[dottiedodah]

enders1 Well I cant see this is inappropriate TBH! He was just querying whether or not they did a discount! I appreciate he was in uniform ,but a few days ago, me and DH went out for lunch to a clearly advertised Eat Out to Help Out venue .Blow me down when the bill arrived showed Full Price! Obv queried it and massive apology from the pub .Not quite the same thing I know ,but maybe he had a long shift ahead of him and was hoping for a little bit of goodwill ?

[enders1]

@dottiedodah your example is not relevant at all. Don't you understand as

[enders1]

@rumblingtumtum pointed out the power imbalance? How many people may feel obliged to offer a discount to an officer in uniform even if they couldn't afford it?

[Nottherealslimshady]

YABU it's no different to a student asking if they do student discount

[rumblingtumtum]

There's a difference where the discount is advertised and asking for discount when none is advertised at the point of paying while wearing full uniform.

[enders1]

Posters do know about corrupt police in other countries who ask for money? As in this is not a made up
scenario & why there are rules & regulations.

[canigooutyet]

I'd completely forgotten about this.

Years ago was standing in a take away, and a police woman was getting served. Massive order, probably easier for one person to go in. No idea the rank tbh. When it was rung up, around £80, she laughed and made a joke about a discount.

From the ensuing conversation found out she was a new starter, loads of eateries near the station, some offered the station a discount. but wouldn't always tell the newbie which these places were.

Just like many companies, not all discounts are mentioned by them.

Some discounts have a clause on them saying you, as the customer have to mention it to them.

[enders1]

@Nottherealslimshady using the example someone posted above a police officer in uniform asks a black small restaurant owner (who has been stopped by the police numerous times) for a discount that is unadvertised is the same as someone asking for student discount?

[canigooutyet]

Oh haha never thought about police corruption.

[rumblingtumtum]

@Nottherealslimshady except that a student wouldn't be in a position to be accused of bribery or bias if they didn't deal with a crime at the same shop on a different day the way the staff or criminal wanted them to because that shop gave favours on demand.

[C8H10N4O2]

Because the balance of power in INHERENT. When you are in the role, you have power, whether you expressly exercise it or not. Both parties are aware of it

Yes exactly.

The risk to reputational damage is an issue let alone the risk to case being brought. I don't think I've ever met an officer in recent years who wasn't extremely aware of this and the need to be seen to be correct as much as being correct.

When I was a kid it was a different world - there was a significant issue with police corruption which I'd assume is why clear codes were introduced.

[SmileEachDay]

YANBU as you say a lot of eateries have struggled whilst he has probably been on full wge

I imagine he’s been on his full salary because he’s been working...

www.bluelightcard.co.uk/

It’s a thing. Unless he started waving his truncheon around and demanding his dinner,
he’s fine.