Police Gratuities Essay

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Essay – Police gratuities Police gratuities raise the question whether it is an unethical practice by police. There is growing public concern in the community when police are offered and accepting police gratuities. Also whether or not police should say ‘no’ to gratuities as it can lead to more serious unethical decisions made by police. Police gratuities is when a gift, remuneration, benefit, allowance, fee subsidy, consideration, free service or entertainment is given from a company, organisation or person to a serving police officer, as a way of attracting police to the company for their presence of safety and protection. Police gratuities can also be as a comfortable gesture to police while on policing duties, such as a cup of tea at a victim’s house. Police can be and often are offered gratuities at various restaurants, cafes, services stations, night clubs and other public places. There is the classic example of police accepting gratuities from McDonald’s family restaurants. McDonald’s gives discounts to all serving police members all over the world. Queensland police are no different as they receive gratuities such as half price discounts. McDonalds provides this service to get Queensland police officers into McDonalds so their presence provides McDonalds a deterrent to potential offenders. In the United States of America, police officers receive their McDonalds meal for free if they eat in, half price of they come in and order to take way and no discount if officers order through the drive through. This is evidence that McDonalds are trying to ‘buy’ officers to stay in their restaurant for their regular and guaranteed presence to the public. Police are not allowed to accept gratuities. It states in the official Police Code of Conduct, section 10.7, ‘members are not allowed to accept any personal or other benefit, unless authorised/permitted

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