Cowboy Gardai

Cokehead Mother

This thread is way off topic. It's not about gardaí, it was never about gardaí.

This is about the OP's relationship with their friend.

Alex (OP) and Melvin (Their friend - and wtf @ the name) have known each other since they were 5, and carnally since they were 14.

Recently, the relationship is being strained by Melvin's career and the OP is using this thread as a means to call Melvin a bastard.

My advice to the OP is to move on, gurl. He AIN'T gonna change.

Xavi6

Cokehead Mother wrote: »

This thread is way off topic. It's not about gardaí, it was never about gardaí.

This is about the OP's relationship with their friend.

Alex (OP) and Melvin (Their friend - and wtf @ the name) have known each other since they were 5, and carnally since they were 14.

Recently, the relationship is being strained by Melvin's career and the OP is using this thread as a means to call Melvin a bastard.

My advice to the OP is to move on, gurl. He AIN'T gonna change.

I'm sorry but wtf?

Xavi6

Kernel wrote: »

Do you have any evidence for this ridiculous claim?

I've seen it with my own eyes, hence my opening post. I don't go around with hidden cameras but I can asure you I've seen it happen. Others have too so it's far from a 'ridiculous claim'.

Kernel wrote: »

You've ignored all the points raised here and are still proceeding with your clearly biased view on the subject.

Of course I have a biased view, I've seen something I don't agree with!

Mutz

Whats the fuss? Its a bit of water and coffe granules. COFFEE! OMFG its a BRIBE! Who's got their camera phone!

LMFAO! You guys have little to be moaning about! Isn't great that all we have to give out about is getting into discos free and getting the odd free cup of coffee!

Imagine living in Russia or the Ukraine where if you look at a cop sideways you get a full blown beating!

Off to the ombudsman with you and see what reaction you get! :rolleyes:

GreeBo

Mutz wrote: »

Whats the fuss? Its a bit of water and coffe granules. COFFEE! OMFG its a BRIBE! Who's got their camera phone!

so when does it become a problem? 4 Coffees , 6 donuts and a few sandwiches?

Mutz wrote: »

LMFAO! You guys have little to be moaning about! Isn't great that all we have to give out about is getting into discos free and getting the odd free cup of coffee!

Yeah, coz as long as we are not the worst, sure then its fine.
Way to reach for the stars dude. :rolleyes:

colliegG

Where I work I'm entitled to :

A 10% discount in a gift shop across the road. (On production of ID)
A cheap haircut in a barber nearby. (On production of ID)
Cheaper taxis if called from work.
Very cheap parking in a nearby car park. (On production of ID)
A 10% discount on sandwiches in a place on Dame St. (On production of ID)
A varying discount from a local bakery.
Cheap dinner in a place in Temple Bar. (On production of ID)
Cheaper access to certain swimming pools, gyms etc. (On production of ID)
A well known computer firm is apparently introducing a discount for staff home PCs.
Several pubs and niteclubs around here run promotions specifically aimed at the people working for my company. These can involve free entrance or cheaper drinks.

I'm not a Garda.

Not one of these perks is authorised or funded by our management. They are completely unsolicited and are usually passed around by word of mouth. They're all very real and used by lots of my colleagues every day.

They're perks that clever local company's employ to attract people from my company to their business. It probably has something to do with the numbers of us flooding onto the street during the working day. Professionally I have never felt obliged to do anything in return for these businesses except use them more frequently. In fact a sandwich shop beside us used to close when our office was shut at weekends. That's how much our business was worth to them.

A good service industry needs to adapt to it's surroundings. If that involves perks for local businesses then that's what will happen. Anyone who'd begrudge a Garda a cup of coffee must never have heard of corporate gifts!

Lola123

Mutz wrote: »

Whats the fuss? Its a bit of water and coffe granules. COFFEE! OMFG its a BRIBE! Who's got their camera phone!

LMFAO! You guys have little to be moaning about! Isn't great that all we have to give out about is getting into discos free and getting the odd free cup of coffee!

Imagine living in Russia or the Ukraine where if you look at a cop sideways you get a full blown beating!

Off to the ombudsman with you and see what reaction you get! :rolleyes:

QFT.... In russia the cops will take get you to pay up or they'll take your passport off you. And the funny thing is.... legally you have to carry yur passport around with you.

GreeBo

colliegG wrote: »

Where I work I'm entitled to :

A 10% discount in a gift shop across the road. (On production of ID)
A cheap haircut in a barber nearby. (On production of ID)
Cheaper taxis if called from work.
Very cheap parking in a nearby car park. (On production of ID)
A 10% discount on sandwiches in a place on Dame St. (On production of ID)
A varying discount from a local bakery.
Cheap dinner in a place in Temple Bar. (On production of ID)
Cheaper access to certain swimming pools, gyms etc. (On production of ID)
A well known computer firm is apparently introducing a discount for staff home PCs.
Several pubs and niteclubs around here run promotions specifically aimed at the people working for my company. These can involve free entrance or cheaper drinks.

I'm not a Garda.

Not one of these perks is authorised or funded by our management. They are completely unsolicited and are usually passed around by word of mouth. They're all very real and used by lots of my colleagues every day.

They're perks that clever local company's employ to attract people from my company to their business. It probably has something to do with the numbers of us flooding onto the street during the working day. Professionally I have never felt obliged to do anything in return for these businesses except use them more frequently. In fact a sandwich shop beside us used to close when our office was shut at weekends. That's how much our business was worth to them.

A good service industry needs to adapt to it's surroundings. If that involves perks for local businesses then that's what will happen. Anyone who'd begrudge a Garda a cup of coffee must never have heard of corporate gifts!

So what you are saying is that these shops give you all these "perks" because they want something from you, i.e your money.
Hmmm I wonder what the niteclubs, etc want from the Gards that they are not already getting?

Also, (unless Im terribly mistaken) these shops are not:
1) paying your wages
2) organsed by the state
and you are not
1) a public body
2) in a position of power

GreeBo

Lola123 wrote: »

QFT.... In russia the cops will take get you to pay up or they'll take your passport off you. And the funny thing is.... legally you have to carry yur passport around with you.

I dunno what these Russians are complaining about, in Nigeria the cops cut your arms off.

See how pointless that argument is?:rolleyes:

colliegG

GreeBo wrote: »

So what you are saying is that these shops give you all these "perks" because they want something from you, i.e your money.
Hmmm I wonder what the niteclubs, etc want from the Gards that they are not already getting?

Also, (unless Im terribly mistaken) these shops are not:
1) paying your wages
2) organsed by the state
and you are not
1) a public body
2) in a position of power

Em actually you'd be mistaken about most of your assumptions but that's not the point.

The point is if I get a discount from a service provider I'm more likely to use that service provider again. I'm also more likely to mention my good experience with that service provider to other people such as friends or family. They will go there and if their experience is also positive, albiet without the discount, they too will mention it to other people and on and on. Thats what is happening with the gardai. It's positive reinforcement to advertise through word of mouth. It really is very basic marketing.

That's why you often see newspapers being discounted or indeed being handed out for free. (not the actual free ones i.e. Herald AM)

If you increase the pool that you offer "perks" to you increase the chance of other non-discounted business arriving. The fact that the Gardai repeatedly use the same service providers to buy non discounted items shows how effective this tactic is.

An Citeog

GreeBo wrote: »

So what you are saying is that these shops give you all these "perks" because they want something from you, i.e your money.
Hmmm I wonder what the niteclubs, etc want from the Gards that they are not already getting?

Also, (unless Im terribly mistaken) these shops are not:
1) paying your wages
2) organsed by the state
and you are not
1) a public body
2) in a position of power

Same thing with all the local authorities, in Dublin anyway. Fingal County Council staff get discounts in certain shops in Swords and Blanchardstown, Dublin City Council too, South Dublin in Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown aswell. You're "paying their wages", so what's your opinion on it?

If a Guard gets free entrance into a nightclub, he still has to pay for his drinks. If he gets a free coffee, it's because he's also bought a roll worth €4 or whatever. The shops are looking for somthing in return too ie. the Guard's money. As regards chippers and fast food restaurants, all prisoners are entitled to be fed. The amount of business a chipper could do just from being nice to the Gardaí is unreal. If you're regularly placing big orders, the owner would be mad not to say, sure have a burger and chips for yourself aswell. If he doesn't, you can be sure someone else will. That's not corruption, it's trying to win customers and make money.

GreeBo

colliegG wrote: »

Em actually you'd be mistaken about most of your assumptions but that's not the point.

well it is actually, so which am I wrong on?

colliegG wrote: »

The point is if I get a discount from a service provider I'm more likely to use that service provider again. I'm also more likely to mention my good experience with that service provider to other people such as friends or family. They will go there and if their experience is also positive, albiet without the discount, they too will mention it to other people and on and on. Thats what is happening with the gardai. It's positive reinforcement to advertise through word of mouth. It really is very basic marketing.

If you increase the pool that you offer "perks" to you increase the chance of other non-discounted business arriving.

Yes I understand how marketing works thanks.
There are far more IT people that Gards, why dont these shops give discounts to IT professionals?
But you are still missing the point.
In your instance the shop is getting custom from you, if a Gard is let into a nite club for free what is the club getting that they are not getting from me?
Why can I not go in for free? I will be buying drinks whereas the guard (as mentioned several times earlier, will not as they are bound to step in during any trouble)

colliegG wrote: »

The fact that the Gardai repeatedly use the same service providers to buy non discounted items shows how effective this tactic is.

You have facts to back this up? Personally I would say they reason they go back is the fact that they keep getting stuff for free...

How impartial do you reckon the Gards are towards these "Perk Shops"?
If there is in incident between shop A and person B and the Gards are called do you not think there is a slight chance that the guards will be influenced by the fact that shop A gives them their coffee for free everyday?
Cant you see how this is wrong?
If I was arrested after an incident like above and found out that the cops had a "relationship" with the shop Id use it to get any case thrown out of court, same as if the Judge was best mates with the shop keeper.

Kat1170

If I was arrested after an incident like above and found out that the cops had a "relationship" with the shop Id use it to get any case thrown out of court, same as if the Judge was best mates with the shop keeper.

Then surely you should be hoping that the Guards get free stuff everywhere, and not bitching about the few things they do get. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Lola123

GreeBo wrote: »

I dunno what these Russians are complaining about, in Nigeria the cops cut your arms off.

See how pointless that argument is?:rolleyes:

No, I fail to see how my argument was pointless.

I was pointing out that there is a difference between corrupt cops (such as in Russia and Nigeria....thanks for the other example!) and the gardai getting a free sandwich.

Have you even gotten anything for free or discounted because of your job? I know I most certainly have.

Sonnenblumen

What's the big deal about gardai getting little perks, I mean its not uncommon for lots of others, as another poster pointed out. Anyways I'm sure it's an effective way of building closer links, which might be beneficial if assistance was required.

IMO I would imagine it's an informal gesture to acknowledge Garda services to the communities. The whingers will disagree but they're probably most likely peripheral and therefore not relevant.

I'd find something else to whinge about, but if it's hurting that much why not make a complaint?

More Garda and fewer whingers would make this place a better place.

GreeBo

Lola123 wrote: »

No, I fail to see how my argument was pointless.

I was pointing out that there is a difference between corrupt cops (such as in Russia and Nigeria....thanks for the other example!) and the gardai getting a free sandwich.

Have you even gotten anything for free or discounted because of your job? I know I most certainly have.

And as part of your job are you supposed to be providing an unbiased, state controlled service to the public?
Are you in a position of power over >95% of the public?

The reason your argument is pointless is that you are saying it doesnt matter that our cops take back handers because other cops are worse. Im pointing out the small mindedness of that argument as following that logic only the "worst" cops should be dealt with.

User45701

well as for no.2 ive seen the fire brigade do it at roundabouts twice

GreeBo

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

What's the big deal about gardai getting little perks, I mean its not uncommon for lots of others, as another poster pointed out. Anyways I'm sure it's an effective way of building closer links, which might be beneficial if assistance was required.

meaning that those who arent building these closer links are at a disadvantage? Nice level of impartiality there.

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

The whingers will disagree but they're probably most likely peripheral and therefore not relevant.

Good luck getting all that tar of your brush.

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

More Garda and fewer whingers would make this place a better place.

Actually it would probably put more companies out of business as fewer people would actually be paying customers.

Sonnenblumen

GreeBo wrote: »

Actually it would probably put more companies out of business as fewer people would actually be paying customers.

Is it no wonder watching others making friends with Garda upsets you?

An Citeog

GreeBo wrote: »

Good luck getting all that tar of your brush.

Em, pot kettle black etc! So it's ok for you and other posters to tar over 10,000 people with the same brush based on anecdotal evidence then?

As regards prioritising calls, it depends on the seriousness of the incident and the amount of Gardaí available to respond. If it's a simple choice of one over the other, Gardaí will respond to the one that's closest.

GreeBo

An Citeog wrote: »

Em, pot kettle black etc! So it's ok for you and other posters to tar over 10,000 people with the same brush based on anecdotal evidence then?

erm yes, I am tarring all the Gards who take backhanders with the same brush, not ALL gards though. Spot the Difference?

An Citeog wrote: »

As regards prioritising calls, it depends on the seriousness of the incident and the amount of Gardaí available to respond. If it's a simple choice of one over the other, Gardaí will respond to the one that's closest.

So you are honestly telling me that if the Spar and the Centra on Westmoreland St are being attacked and there is only 1 unit available they wont go to the one that doles out the freebies first?

colliegG

GreeBo wrote: »

well it is actually, so which am I wrong on?



Yes I understand how marketing works thanks.
There are far more IT people that Gards, why dont these shops give discounts to IT professionals?
But you are still missing the point.
In your instance the shop is getting custom from you, if a Gard is let into a nite club for free what is the club getting that they are not getting from me?
Why can I not go in for free? I will be buying drinks whereas the guard (as mentioned several times earlier, will not as they are bound to step in during any trouble)

You have facts to back this up? Personally I would say they reason they go back is the fact that they keep getting stuff for free...

How impartial do you reckon the Gards are towards these "Perk Shops"?
If there is in incident between shop A and person B and the Gards are called do you not think there is a slight chance that the guards will be influenced by the fact that shop A gives them their coffee for free everyday?
Cant you see how this is wrong?
If I was arrested after an incident like above and found out that the cops had a "relationship" with the shop Id use it to get any case thrown out of court, same as if the Judge was best mates with the shop keeper.

My job has nothing to do with this thread. I'm not a Garda but I fit all of your conditions pretty closely.

As I said earlier, everyone (IT people, admin etc) in my place gets those perks. If in your company you don't, then you obviously don't go to the same places regularly enough in big enough groups.

Gardai bring civilian friends to these clubs and pubs just like staff from our place do when they go to them. In most cases the friends pay in. Also I hate to point this out but usually the Gardai are flashing their id to get into a place for free, just like I do. They're not telling the owner of a club they're here as private security. Of course they'll be drinking. The point is I see no problem with that.

I have the same facts to prove Gardai return to the same shops to purchase stuff as you have to prove they don't. Namely "what so and so said to me". Still it makes sense to me as the Gardai are hardly going to subsist on free coffee now are they??

As to you thinking that free coffee could be shown as a breach of impartiality regarding the Gardai. Good luck with that!! The Gardai are not the courts.

Lola123

GreeBo wrote: »

And as part of your job are you supposed to be providing an unbiased, state controlled service to the public?
Are you in a position of power over >95% of the public?

The reason your argument is pointless is that you are saying it doesnt matter that our cops take back handers because other cops are worse. Im pointing out the small mindedness of that argument as following that logic only the "worst" cops should be dealt with.

I notice you didn't answer my question.

I work in a legal department, so yes, to some extent my work is state controlled given that I've to enforce regulations.

I'm not saying thats it doesn't matter if cops take back handers. What I was trying to say is that there is a difference between taking back handers and getting free coffee!! Clearly, taking backhanders and bribery is not in anyway acceptable for the Gardai to do. I would have thought that was obvious and thus a pointless statement to make!!!!
(By the way, you shouldn't state that "our cops take bankhanders", without solid evidence)

An Citeog

GreeBo wrote: »

erm yes, I am tarring all the Gards who take backhanders with the same brush, not ALL gards though. Spot the Difference?

I see what you're saying but I completely disagree. You're questioning the integrity and impartiality of quite a number of Gardaí based on any discounts they may receive. Quite a statement to make without any proof whatsoever to back it up. Can you refer to any previous cases or even any stories you may have heard about such incidents occurring?

Btw, referring to free coffee with purchases or discounted meals in restaurants/take-aways close to the station as backhanders is laughable.

GreeBo wrote:

So you are honestly telling me that if the Spar and the Centra on Westmoreland St are being attacked and there is only 1 unit available they wont go to the one that doles out the freebies first?

Obviously I can't tell you definitively because it's a purely hypothetical situation. I don't see how you can make a definitive statement on the matter either.

If you don't like the current situation though, here's where to go: http://www.gardaombudsman.ie/.

colliegG

An Citeog wrote: »

If you don't like the current situation though, here's where to go: http://www.gardaombudsman.ie/.

Oh don't encourage him Citeog

Lola123

An Citeog wrote: »

I see what you're saying but I completely disagree. You're questioning the integrity and impartiality of quite a number of Gardaí based on any discounts they may receive. Quite a statement to make without any proof whatsoever to back it up. Can you refer to any previous cases or even any stories you may have heard about such incidents occurring?

Btw, referring to free coffee with purchases or discounted meals in restaurants/take-aways close to the station as backhanders is laughable.



Obviously I can't tell you definitively because it's a purely hypothetical situation. I don't see how you can make a definitive statement on the matter either.

If you don't like the current situation though, here's where to go: http://www.gardaombudsman.ie/.

+1
And please let us know how you get on with the Garda Ombudsman! I could do with a good laugh!

An Citeog

colliegG wrote: »

Oh don't encourage him Citeog

He doesn't even need to. I'm sure the Ombudsman is carefully sifting through this thread at the moment!

Rob_l wrote: »

garda ombudsman has been forwarded a link to this thread FTW

GreeBo

I was nearly laughing (from all the witty replies you understand) too much to reply.
Nearly.
All your arguments for this practice can be countered with one simple word.
"Why?"
Why do they Garda get this special treatment?
Giving discounts to paying consumers is all well and good but freebies to a specific group of public employees and expecting something in return to my mind is clearly wrong.

If you accept free coffee because of what your powers are then what else do you accept, where do you draw the line?
Coffee for Garda A is ok but brown envelopes to planners are not ok?
Can you people not see that its an all or nothing scenario?
They are either clean or they are dirty.
Its not "only" a cup of coffee.

colliegG

OMG I bet Greebo is the Ombudsman!!! :rolleyes:

Lola123

Why do the garda get special treatment?
Em, cos it's a perk of the job?!:D

colliegG

Round and round we go. . .

I can tell you I don't draw the line at free coffee. I can't even see that line.

I get free / cheap stuff all the time on account of my job. I have never had my integrity questioned not felt beholden to anyone.

What's so hard to understand?

Perhaps you think you could be bought for the price of a coffee??

Are you afraid that if you were a Garda, you'd suddenly feel you must stop chasing a fleeing mugger to catch a shop lifter in the local Spar because on occassion they gave you free coffee??

Don't paint 14000 members with your own shaky ethics.

To put this entire pointless thread to rest once and for all. It's NOT NOW AND NEVER HAS BEEN up to the beat cop to choose what crime to deal with.

Without a desired action occuring you can hardly call bribery!!!

GreeBo

colliegG wrote: »

My job has nothing to do with this thread. I'm not a Garda but I fit all of your conditions pretty closely.

What, you dont think being you being a Garda Reserve comes into this conversation at all? Hows that for a nice demonstration of your impartiality reasoning. :cool:

collieG wrote:

Any abnormal looking midgets should have to stay indoors because they're creepy to look at while the ones who look normal but just shrunken should be displayed on street corners for the public amusement.

Hmm again with the classic Garda PC response.
Goodday to you.

colliegG

Trust me Greebo my nine to five job is much more open to "bribery".

As for the other, yep that's meant as a joke. See the way I didn't use an alt.

colliegG

And also not a GR yet. Wait till I am and I'll give you the definite Garda response.

Still believe me when I tell you I'm not training for the reserve for the free coffee.

An Citeog

GreeBo wrote: »

What, you dont think being you being a Garda Reserve comes into this conversation at all? Hows that for a nice demonstration of your impartiality reasoning. :cool:

Hmm again with the classic Garda PC response.
Goodday to you.

Ok, that's a bit weird, in a stalkerish kind of way! :eek:

Btw, I'm not a Guard or reserve, nor is any member of my family
and I don't ever intend to become one.

GreeBo wrote:

I was nearly laughing (from all the witty replies you understand) too much to reply.
Nearly.
All your arguments for this practice can be countered with one simple word.
"Why?"
Why do they Garda get this special treatment?
Giving discounts to paying consumers is all well and good but freebies to a specific group of public employees and expecting something in return to my mind is clearly wrong.

If you accept free coffee because of what your powers are then what else do you accept, where do you draw the line?
Coffee for Garda A is ok but brown envelopes to planners are not ok?
Can you people not see that its an all or nothing scenario?
They are either clean or they are dirty.
Its not "only" a cup of coffee.

Who said anything about expecting something in return? That's where you're just making assumptions. Maybe they have the utmost respect for the work the Gardaí do or have had positive dealings in the past with Gardaí. It's as true as any assumptions you've made so far.

You've also neglected fact that prisoners need to be fed and in a busy station, that usually means a few trips to the local chipper or Chinese every day. It's the Guard's choice as to which one he goes to, so it makes sense
to try and encourage their business. Or should the Gardaí also be impartial as to where they go for food? :rolleyes:

source

I have one point to make, that the op and all those who agree with him seem to be ignoring, and that is this:

What the shop is getting in return for the free coffee is Gardai going into the shop in uniform to get food on their meal break, it means they have a high presence of police in the shop and that makes them less likely to be robbed, as it would become quite well known as a spot the gardai frequent regularly.

So if the scumbags decide to stay away from these establishments, because lets face it scumbags and cops aren't exactly the best of friends, then the aforementioned scenario involving the centra and spar should never arise, cos as stupid and all as some scumbags can be they'd never be dumb enough to rob a place that's pretty much full of cops all the time.

Oh and going off some of your arguments........lets have a little scenario.........lets say I am a garda.......lets say it's my birthday and a distant relation gives me a present.......do i now owe him/her if i catch them doing something illegal, or if they are the victims of a crime? NO! just the same way as I don't owe the shop anything for the coffee as all they expect is for you to return to their shop in future.

Oh and op, you say that you don't want this thread to become a garda bashing thread.....then why start it off by calling it "Cowboy Gardai" ?? isn't that just unnecessarily fanning the flames, and provoking people into a certain type of response?

Xavi6

foinse wrote: »

Oh and going off some of your arguments........lets have a little scenario.........lets say I am a garda.......lets say it's my birthday and a distant relation gives me a present.......do i now owe him/her if i catch them doing something illegal, or if they are the victims of a crime? NO! just the same way as I don't owe the shop anything for the coffee as all they expect is for you to return to their shop in future.

If the distant relation expected you to do more for them than for other relatives because of the gift then it's the same thing. Stupid analogy though really.

MrJoeSoap

foinse wrote: »

What the shop is getting in return for the free coffee is Gardai going into the shop in uniform to get food on their meal break, it means they have a high presence of police in the shop and that makes them less likely to be robbed, as it would become quite well known as a spot the gardai frequent regularly.

Exactly, so by giving the Gardai free coffee the shop is receiving extra protection... You proved the point you were trying to argue against there. The Gardai have more to do than hang around shops where they get free coffee. No criminal is ever going to say "Lets not rob shop X because the Gardai get free coffee there so are more likely to be there".

TheNog

GreeBo wrote: »

Hmmm I wonder what the niteclubs, etc want from the Gards that they are not already getting?

the guards spend money inside too and usually when they go out together there is a good few of them too and they are notorious hard drinkers. Plus people that go to niteclubs in rural towns will see the off-duty gardai going in and are less likely to cause trouble. The people are the ones who will know the gardai and have dealt with them before.

ojewriej

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Exactly, so by giving the Gardai free coffee the shop is receiving extra protection... You proved the point you were trying to argue against there. The Gardai have more to do than hang around shops where they get free coffee. No criminal is ever going to say "Lets not rob shop X because the Gardai get free coffee there so are more likely to be there".

It's not extra protection. It's extra presence. And it's not like thay are hanging around the shops, thinking "Was it long enough since i got my last coffee or should I wait for another while?" They go there on their break, or when they are around I'd imagine.

Guards don't promise anything in exchange, and the shopkeeps don't expect anything in exchange apart from presence and more business. That's all there is to it. And sometimes - i'd imagine quite often actually -it's just human compassion for someone who has to be on his feet and exposed to weather for 8 or more hours a day. And i know, you will say it's their job, they knew what they are signing up for. That's true, and that's why nobody is expecting you to feel sorry for them, but some people still do. I don't see anything wrong with that, as long as you know where to draw the line. And all you need to know where the line is is a little bit of cop on.

Xavi6

ojewriej wrote: »

I don't see anything wrong with that, as long as you know where to draw the line. And all you need to know where the line is is a little bit of cop on.

Well where do you draw the line?

TheNog

Xavi6 wrote: »

Well where do you draw the line?

possibly through this thread??

I think those against the gardai getting a free cup of coffee are clinging onto a barest of threads with this argument.

What does a cup of coffee do you? It helps you stay alert or as an energy booster. That would help any garda who dragged him/herself out of bed at 5am to be in for 6am. Or for those that finished at 6am and are back in work at 2pm or indeed those who are working from 10pm to 6am.

I know one garda who finishes a night shift at 6am travels an hour home, gets his kids ready for school,brings them to school, gets to bed at nearly 10am and is back up at 12pm to get ready for work at 2pm.

He needs a cup of coffee!!!!!!!

Xavi6

TheNog wrote: »

possibly through this thread??

I think those against the gardai getting a free cup of coffee are clinging onto a barest of threads with this argument.

What does a cup of coffee do you? It helps you stay alert or as an energy booster. That would help any garda who dragged him/herself out of bed at 5am to be in for 6am. Or for those that finished at 6am and are back in work at 2pm or indeed those who are working from 10pm to 6am.

I know one garda who finishes a night shift at 6am travels an hour home, gets his kids ready for school,brings them to school, gets to bed at nearly 10am and is back up at 12pm to get ready for work at 2pm.

He needs a cup of coffee!!!!!!!

My original post was not just to do with a cup of coffee though. I wouldn't go starting a thread just for that. I had noticed a trend where more than just one freebie every now and then was acquired. The power of the badge was being abused for more than just a single coffee. That's where I draw the line.

Potential-Monke

And am i not mistaken but don't alot of "regular" shop go'ers get free coffee too? As in the fella who goes there every morning/day for his coffee, after a while he'll start getting free coffee's (if it's a halfway decent shop anyway!).

And yes, Xavi, some Gardai do abuse it, but it's up to the shop owners to "draw the line". If you were offered something for free would you say no? Would you say no the second or third time? And yes, some Gardai do hear of a place where there's free x and free y and abuse that, but again, thats up to the shops to report/stop this. You can even take action if you want. Take a note of the time, the shop and the shoulder number of the "offending" Garda. Report it if you want.

GreeBo

TheNog wrote: »

What does a cup of coffee do you? It helps you stay alert or as an energy booster. That would help any garda who dragged him/herself out of bed at 5am to be in for 6am. Or for those that finished at 6am and are back in work at 2pm or indeed those who are working from 10pm to 6am.

I know one garda who finishes a night shift at 6am travels an hour home, gets his kids ready for school,brings them to school, gets to bed at nearly 10am and is back up at 12pm to get ready for work at 2pm.

Wow.
Could you have missed the point any more?
Let me try to help.
Its got nothing to do with it being coffee.
It could be tea or a bottle of water.
Still with me?

Who gives a flying banana that the guard is tired from working late, I work late and am tired but dont expect freebies.

TheNog wrote: »

He needs a cup of coffee!!!!!!!

Then he should pay for the damn coffee or get a new job.

TheNog

Xavi6 wrote: »

My original post was not just to do with a cup of coffee though. I wouldn't go starting a thread just for that. I had noticed a trend where more than just one freebie every now and then was acquired. The power of the badge was being abused for more than just a single coffee. That's where I draw the line.

But you haven't shown us where this abuse has taken place?

Like I said before the Gardai are encouraged to use the badge for public transport, at toll plazas and the bouncers at a niteclub know that off-duty gardai will help them out if serious trouble arises.

Where is the abuse???

Xavi6

TheNog wrote: »

But you haven't shown us where this abuse has taken place?

So you want photographic evidence before you believe it?

TheNog wrote: »

Like I said before the Gardai are encouraged to use the badge for public transport, at toll plazas and the bouncers at a niteclub know that off-duty gardai will help them out if serious trouble arises.

Where is the abuse???

Public transport - I doubt it was intended to be used for a free piss up down the country as is the case in the incident I mentioned.

Toll Plazas - Why should they use them free if they're not working? They should be treated as civilians if they're off duty.

Nightclubs - So what you're saying is it's ok for a guard to have a few AND get in for free in case a row breaks out? Drink + guards is going to equal serious power trip. They're either there to help or again they are civilians and treated as such.

GreeBo

TheNog wrote: »

Like I said before the Gardai are encouraged to use the badge for public
transport,

Who encourages them?

TheNog wrote: »

the bouncers at a niteclub know that off-duty gardai will help them out if serious trouble arises.

And the legality of being arrested/assaulted by a drunk Garda is what now?

Cokehead Mother

Xavi6 wrote: »

So you want photographic evidence before you believe it?



Public transport - I doubt it was intended to be used for a free piss up down the country as is the case in the incident I mentioned.

Toll Plazas - Why should they use them free if they're not working? They should be treated as civilians if they're off duty.

Nightclubs - So what you're saying is it's ok for a guard to have a few AND get in for free in case a row breaks out? Drink + guards is going to equal serious power trip. They're either there to help or again they are civilians and treated as such.

Look MOVE ON. He has. You're better than this, I'm gonna take you out and you're going to screw some stranger on the LUAS.

You and Melvin are history, why can't you just accept it?

TheNog

Xavi6 wrote: »

So you want photographic evidence before you believe it?



Public transport - I doubt it was intended to be used for a free piss up down the country as is the case in the incident I mentioned.

Toll Plazas - Why should they use them free if they're not working? They should be treated as civilians if they're off duty.

Nightclubs - So what you're saying is it's ok for a guard to have a few AND get in for free in case a row breaks out? Drink + guards is going to equal serious power trip. They're either there to help or again they are civilians and treated as such.

I don't require photographic evidence

Public Transport - Gardai are encouraged to flash the badge wehn using Public transport this usually happens when they are off duty. Ever seen an on duty garda using public transport? Ever heard of an off duty garda using public transport to catch criminals? Garda: "I think I will get on the bus to see if there are any crimes committed" Even when a garda is technically off duty they are still expected to be on duty if anything happens where a perpatrator can be caught there and then. Come on use your head for gods sake

Toll Plazas: Again the money or at least most of it goes straight to the government hence free toll for government employees

Niteclubs - Serious power trips can be attributed to some guards, not all. Guards are not civilians once they join, no matter when on or off duty