POLICE COP A LOT OFGIFTSIN PANDEMIC
POLICE officers in Scotland have accepted dozens of unusual gifts from grateful businesses, organisations and members of the public during the pandemic.
They include two electric bikes for operational use from Electric Bikes Scotland Ltd as well as 40 boxes of Galaxy chocolate truffles from Buzz Bingo, plus boxes of dates, knitwear, whisky and gift cards.
Covering the period from July 1 to September 30, more than 40 gifts were accepted by officers, the latest release of gratuities to the force shows.
Three gifts were declined – and some others accepted to be donated on to charity or other good causes.
But the latest quarterly total was half of the 87 gifts logged between April 1 and June 30, when seven were declined and one sweetie hamper was inexplicably destroyed.
Also among the gifts recorded in the force’s Gifts, Gratuities, Hospitality and Sponsorship Register were pakoras, naan bread, curry and rice donated by a restaurant.
In the previous quarter, RBS made an open offer of free packed lunches to officers policing St Andrews University, while Costa Coffee gave 700 cans of cold coffee to Chief Inspector Rhona Fraser, with another 400 cans accepted by Inspector Andrew Angus. Ten cases were also sent to Inspector Raymond Ferguson.
Not be outdone, Poundland donated an incredible 200 Easter Eggs to Chief Inspector Brian Anderson.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said then: “We have strict rules about accepting gifts and hospitality and publish a register of occasions where these have been offered.
“Many items are subsequently donated
to charity.”