Is it appropriate to give a police officer a gift?

[chocchild]

Over the last few years, my life has been made miserable by someone from my past. He has stalked me and violently attacked me. He has threatened to kill me and has freightened my children.

Due to a lot of hard work and dedication of a particular policer officer this person is now behind bars and I feel so relieved for now. I would like to give him a token of my appreciation. Should I buy him a gift, a box of chocs or something. Can't think what or whether I should just send a card. What do you think?

Just a card or letter.
They aren't officially allowed to accept gifts.

A card would be very nice.

Just not any stolen goods or fenced items or drugs.

I imagine a thank you card would be very nice and maybe a letter outlining how brilliant he has been to his superior officer?

I would get a card and maybe stick a voucher in it, not for much, just a token.

Nurses are not allowed to accept gifts either but most grateful patients leave biscuits choc's etc.

If someone has gone above and beyond for you its nice to say thanks.

Card is fine. Public sector employees are are not allowed to accept gifts (well you are but you have to declare them)

My mum sent a letter to the Chief Constable to thank an off-duty police officer who helped her when my father died suddenly. It was put in the officer's personnel record for future reference.

Unfortunately Police cannot accept gifts.
What they would really appreciate is a letter to the superintendant, this may in turn result in them getting a commendation.
It will go on their records any way.
It hapens so rarely, the officer willbe really pleased.
Sounds like thye have done a good job.

Choc's/biscuits would be a nice gesture and would no-doubt be accepted. Anything else, he would not be able to accept. A letter of thanks is always a great thing to receive (we don't get many!) and should indeed be placed on his personal file.

Glad you've had a positive experience!

I agree - a card to him and a letter to his superior I'm sure would make his day.

It's nice to hear that you've had a successful outcome and hopefully you are able to live free of fear.

I sent a letter and thankyou card to a paramedic who attended my Homebirth when I panicked and insisted we go to a hospital.

He really helped calm me down and got very teary at the birth. He was amazing afterwards too and he told us his wife was due that week which made it all the more emotive for him.

I think a letter would be much appreciated. If you outline in it the good work he has done and what it has meant to you all the better.

People are always quick to moan but very few take the time to write these letters of appreciation.

His bosses will see it and it will be kept on his file.

A nice card for him and a letter to his boss.

If you want to do something more - a donation to The Police Benevolent Fund? I think I have the name right, or maybe the local station has a favourite charity.

I've definitely decided on a card and letter to his superior. Is a nice box of biscuits or chocs ok or is it considered like a gift and not acceptable?

Why can't police and nurses accept gifts? I have given a box of chcolates to the midwives on the ward where they looked after me and bottles of wine to the midwives that delieved the dds. And teachers accept gifts.

Would hope that common sense would prevail. They just want to avoid any suggestion of inducements/ impropriety. A few nice biscuits should be ok.

Cazzybabs - they stopped this because the bosses thought that it could be seen as a "gifts for favours" sort of thing (both by unscrupulous police officers and members of the public).

You used to be able to accept gifts aslong as you declared it.

You canaccept gifts, but only after you have submitted a form to your inpector asking if you can accept it. Yhen they have to authorise it.
I'm sure a box of toffees could slip past the radar though!

I'm a public sector employee but I don't know if the rules are the same...

...we can accept a gift valued up to £10 so long as we inform boss. Anything over £10 has to be declared in REgister of Interests. Generally we do not accept it personally but donate it to Mayor's charity or something like that.

It's always lovely to have a letter of thanks.

TBH I think each Force will have its own policy re accepting gifts.

We aren't allowed to where I am.

Thank you ladies. All your help is much appreciated.