Have you ever given a "law enforcement discount"

I was just asked by a couple if I do law enforcement discounts. Somehow I had never heard of this and I'm wondering if they are common or what kind of discount (if) you would offer a couple.

I'm not in business "yet", but working hard toward it. Now some insight to this discount.
I'm very familiar with Law Enforcement discounts offered by some businesses, the most common, restaurants. This tends to benefit the business and the officer. The business gets police presence which deters criminal activity, ie; robberies. The officer gets a reduction on the cost of a meal or just free coffee. Law Enforcement Officers are not paid much for all they do, so this may help them stretch their paycheck.

That said, it is also common in numerous departments to prohibit officers from accepting gratuities, which discount or free meals are considered. Gratuities can be viewed as bribes, and could land the officer in a world of hurt.

This is strictly a business decision only you can make. I don't know, but suspect the person asked you if you have such discounts. What I do know, is IF you do a good job, provide great products, you most certainly will have many more customers. They will brag to fellow officers, ie; refer you to fellow officers.

How do I know this? I was a law enforcement officer for over 20yrs. When we were offered free meals, the waitress always ended up with a huge tip. In other words, we paid for the meal, if the owner chose not to use the money for that, then it belonged to the waitress/waiter. There are other businesses such as firearms that provide discounts too. Don't kid yourself if you think they don't pass this information around.

***PS***
With what's been going on in this country, the total lack of respect for these men and women that don't know if they're going to return home at the end of their shift, it certainly is one way to say thank you to them.

I agree with Ron. I worked at a restaurant all through school. We offered police discount and word spread quickly. Our slowest night of the week quickly became our second busiest night as it filled up with both uniformed police and detectives.

At our shop we offered military, firefighter, police, and teacher discounts. Trust me, they all talk to each other.

In my opinion, offering a discount to an officer for a physical business makes sense.

Offering a discount on a service does not make the same level of sense.

I have offered a 'first time customer' discount to a corporate client in the interest of fostering a new relationship. I have offered a discount to someone who has referred business to me. But I can't imagine offering a discount to a private party in a situation like this.

You could offer an "in uniform" discount. For example if they get a regular package throw in a free head shot of the individual in their dress gear.

JacobPhoto wrote in post #18130995
In my opinion, offering a discount to an officer for a physical business makes sense.

Offering a discount on a service does not make the same level of sense.

I have offered a 'first time customer' discount to a corporate client in the interest of fostering a new relationship. I have offered a discount to someone who has referred business to me. But I can't imagine offering a discount to a private party in a situation like this.

Depends if you are looking at possible future business or you are just discounting for the appreciation of their services.
Many people discount or extend just for their appreciation...such as seniors, service personnel etc...

frozenframe wrote in post #18130448
Law Enforcement Officers are not paid much for all they do, so this may help them stretch their paycheck.

Depends where. They're very well paid in California and can retire at 55 with amazing pensions. I'd have a hard time giving a discount to someone who makes more than I do.

frozenframe wrote in post #18130448
Law Enforcement Officers are not paid much for all they do, so this may help them stretch their paycheck.

mike_d wrote in post #18131206
Depends where. They're very well paid in California and can retire at 55 with amazing pensions. I'd have a hard time giving a discount to someone who makes more than I do.

I agree with you, Mike. Here in my community, and astounding portion of the citizenry earns less than the poverty cut-off. Yup, that's right - under $12,000 per year here for many folks. Even the lowest paid law enforcement officers earn 2 1/2 times that much. So, they are earning more than double what most people are earning. And that's just the very lowest paid officers - the average officer is actually earning $40,000 a year! In an impoverished community!

As one who is very familiar with the poverty line, it is hard to imagine giving a discount to someone who makes way, way, way more than I will ever be able to earn.

.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18131335
As one who is very familiar with the poverty line, it is hard to imagine giving a discount to someone who makes way, way, way more than I will ever be able to earn.

.

San Jose, CA is hiring entry level police officers with a salary range of approximately $78k, and for a top paid cop to 104k a year (not inclusive of lieutenants and other managerial level cops)!

BTW, the Wall Street Journal reported that San Jose, Calif., has the highest median household income of any major city in the country. The median income for a household in San Jose was $77,000. In other words a San Jose cop gets median to 135% of median, not counting overtime.

OBTW, cops are leaving the San Jose force to work elsewhere in the state where they get BETTER pay, and lower cost of living.

Luigi1234 wrote in post #18128875
I was just asked by a couple if I do law enforcement discounts. Somehow I had never heard of this and I'm wondering if they are common or what kind of discount (if) you would offer a couple.

Seems like an ethically questionable request.

WhidbeyHiker wrote in post #18131446
Seems like an ethically questionable request.

I questioned that too. They should not ask for this, as it can be viewed wrongly. Does the establishment expect something (favors, leniency if stopped for speeding) in return? If so that's unethical. Flip-side is, does the officer expect the discount? What's the officers action if denied? Does the officer not patronize the establishment after being denied?

As far as the salaries, bigger cities like in CA have a much higher COL, so the salary is reflected. I know if the LEOs around here would get the same as those in CA they would be living quite well.

frozenframe wrote in post #18131792
I questioned that too. They should not ask for this, as it can be viewed wrongly. . . .

Yes, it can, but there doesn't seem to be a single right answer here. LEO discounts are common, like senior discounts, student discounts, and military discounts. The couple who asked the OP about a discount know that some providers of goods or services offer it but don't know which ones do, so they ask. I wouldn't construe the question as a solicitation of a bribe for favorable treatment should the OP desire some later.

WhidbeyHiker wrote in post #18131446
Seems like an ethically questionable request.

I would say that asking if a discount exists isn't ethically questionable. If the lack of discount leads the customer to take their business elsewhere, that would definitely be ethically questionable to me.

I've asked for a (non-LEO) discount lots of places, but still made the purchase even if a discount doesn't exist.

On the receiving end (of the discount) it never hurts to ask!

I'm not law enforcement but I do ask privately owned and service type firms if they discount for cash and many do. Just recently a tie-in to public sewers was reduced by 10% for cash.

I am ex-military and here in Pennsylvania I have a notation on my drivers license that gets you various discounts. In fact the list of discounts is almost four pages of fine print and includes tires, lawyers fees, eye doctors, 10% off at Home Depot, etc. To get the notation I had to go to the county courthouse with my honorable discharge papers (DD-214). A VA card will work as well.

We offer a military and first responder discount. We do not advertise it very heavily however we have been asked 3 times and are always happy to give it to those people. Its not much at 10% but they all seem to appreciate the effort on our end, its our way of saying thank you.