Buy a cop a coffee?

[AregularGuy]

There are many times when I am in Starbucks after work and a couple of leo's will be behind me. Is it poor form or unacceptable for me to show a little appreciation and buy their drinks? I'm not sure they are even allowed to accept so I've been reluctant to offer. Any thoughts?

[jarhead714]

I was at a Coffee Bean the other day in the SFV and I saw a cop sitting outside and dude was wearing one of those awesome Adam-12 style covers. I told him how cool and authoritative it looked and he appreciated it. Should be mandatory! I should have sponsored a Danish or something.

[Marty33]

From time to time someone in front of me will buy my coffee. It is a nice gesture and I always fall all over myself thanking them.
Although seemingly fewer and fewer, the good people are out there!

[RedVines]

Thanks.

[benjamin101677]

A lot of agencies including the one I worked for will not allow anybody on duty to accept anything free from a business a person or anything. So you can try but some agencies the officers will say no.

[kielbasavw]

I don't understand how you guys pay for such expensive coffee.. glad I get it free ;-)

If not instant crap works just fine for me.

[CBR_rider]

For the OP and others who have posted, such a gesture would be greatly appreciated by its recipient(s). I understand the reasoning behind no gratuity policies to a point, but if someone decides to buy me a cup o' joe or something I'm not going to be a snob about it. If I was that worried about getting in trouble I'd just leave whatever it would have cost me at the register for the person behind me....

[mikehtiger]

I have had it happen a few times. I always appreciate it, say thanks, and buy coffee for the person behind me. (Usually in the drive through)

[Che762x39]

... I saw a cop sitting outside and dude was wearing one of those awesome Adam-12 style covers. I told him how cool and authoritative it looked and he appreciated it. Should be mandatory!

Thanks, that is why I wear it. The young cops want to wear baseball caps.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

It is a great gesture, and would be appreciated even if declined in view of the 'no gratuities' policy.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Thanks, that is why I wear it. The young cops want to wear baseball caps.

Yep, baseball cap or nothing. I am extremely glad that our department does not have any sort of regular headgear for patrol duty.

[Tacobandit]

My buddy had coffee bought for him by Jennifer Love Hewitt...

[ckim34]

coffee is overrated

[Artema]

Yep, baseball cap or nothing. I am extremely glad that our department does not have any sort of regular headgear for patrol duty.

I wish military had some choices. I'd love to wear the boonie. It's not like we don't have one, just desert only.

[Petro6golf]

I feel weird getting a free coffee from someone and always attempt to turn it down (doesn't always work). Yesterday someone infront of me at the drive through at Starbucks bought me a coffee and drove away. I payed it forward and put $5 on the guy behind me.