where & when did the "Leos & dougnuts" stereotype begin?

[ham]

was watching the Simpsons with my nephew and he asked me that question. I always thought it was the most dougnut shops were 24 hrs, so it was a place to catch a break but the stereotype seems to be forever linked into popular culture.

any "official" reasons?

[CanAm]

Cheap coffee and snacks, often 24 hours a day. Sometimes just a good reason to get off the bike/out of the cruiser and take a little break.


EDIT: Forgot to add that it was around when my dad was an LA County Deputy back in the early 80s and even before.

[G-Man WC]

I think CanAm hit it on the head. Leo work is 24/7 so an establishment open
24 hours day would be popular hangout.
Had a buddy in high school. His father was a sgt for the CHP.
Back in the 70's he would be called on for:
Code C&D = Coffee and Dougnuts
I didn't think the idea came from a gogo's song!
-g

[GMG]

I go back a little farther, walking to grammar school (1947) I would go by a Thrifty Drug Store. They had a regular sit down food/coffee counter, with the mini jukeboxes. If I had a nickel I would go in and buy a coke. Almost always there was an LAPD H/D at the curb. In those days bike cops wore soft hats.

[biglou]

^ Winchell's Donuts use to give free coffee to The Man (1970's). I guess I'm a youngster compared to GMG. But I do remember the .10 cent ice cream scoop.

[Ron-Solo]

Open 24/7 and they would let us use their bathrooms, call the station to get file numbers, etc before the days of computers and cell phones.

[Armed24-7]

Back in the day before patrol cars had computers and before people had cell phones, there were many tasks that required an officer/deputy to contact their station but it was inappropriate to tie up the radio. Donut shops were pretty much the only places open 24/7 and they use to let officers use their phone to call the station, use the restroom, and it was a place to grab a cup of coffee for the road.

For motor officers, it was a place for them to sit and write their reports.

[Sunday]

One of the dads in my sons Boy Scout troop is a CHP and he gets the donut razz from the troops older kids and dads when on backpacking trips . If I had a business free coffee to the cops would be a wise investment to have them around.

[Squid]

Donut shops tend to have very bright lights, so good for paperwork.

And only all night place with nice empty tables under lights indoors.

Hard to do paper work standing by the slurpy machine in 7/11 or out by the pumps at gas station.