POLL: Cop Fired for Demanding Free Coffee - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 07-19-2008, 11:34 PM

Cop Fired for Demanding Free Coffee

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP)- An internal affairs report says a Daytona Beach police officer demanded free coffee and tea from a Starbucks and threatened employees with slower emergency response times if they refused.

Lt. Major Garvin, a 15-year veteran, was fired July 8. According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Chief Mike Chitwood says Garvin recently failed a polygraph test that he insisted on taking.

The coffeehouse's employees claim that since June 2007, Garvin had visited the store as many as six times a night while on duty. Besides demanding free drinks, workers complained that Garvin also cut in front of paying customers.

A telephone listing for Garvin could not be found.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

Brian Damage · 07-19-2008, 11:42 PM

I definitely think so, he is no better than some random person stealing from a store. They did the right thing by firing him.

Zoneboy · 07-19-2008, 11:44 PM

I think the firing was justified, Just another idiot cop hell-bent on showing his authority. Daytona Beach is better off without him on the force.

Janice · 07-20-2008, 12:11 AM

If the cop hadn't threatened to withhold police protection from them, I'd say an unpaid suspension would suffice; however, he crossed a line with that threat. Part of his punishment should be to force him to work at Starbucks for a few months, lol.

Lee · 07-20-2008, 12:24 AM

It seems everyone is united on this. I too think the firing was justified-a police
officer shoould have to pay for his coffee just like anybody else. Being a
police officer does not entitle him to special rights or privilages. And he
absolutely crossed a line that no police officer has the right to cross when
he made the threats that he made against the Starbucks employees.

Zoneboy · 07-20-2008, 12:28 AM

Wasn't there a Starbucks in NY that charged emergency workers $100 and up for a case of bottled water when 9-11 occurred? I may be wrong but I could swear I read that somewhere. If that's the case then this cop is no better.

InspectorExstead · 07-20-2008, 01:30 AM

i worked at coffee bean last year & we gave police officers & firemen free drinks (whatever it may be...coffee, ice blended drinks, lattes, etc) and only charged for their food items. it wasn't required, but it was just a form of courtesy. however, they were amazing & never once gave us attitude. they tipped us more than regular customers did & they were always there when we needed them. lol.
but yes, the cop should've been fired. he's not entitled to free coffee. he can be given free coffee out of respect, but that's not the same at every coffee shop, and he shouldn't have demanded it. and the fact that the threatened them with slower response time in case of an emergency is even worse.

Nighthawk76 · 07-20-2008, 01:32 AM

Yes

InspectorExstead · 07-20-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Wasn't there a Starbucks in NY that charged emergency workers $100 and up for a case of bottled water when 9-11 occurred? I may be wrong but I could swear I read that somewhere. If that's the case then this cop is no better.

wow. starbucks has enough money that they could've afforded to give them out for free, which they should have. especially to all of the emergency workers who were putting their lives on the line.

PlayOn · 07-20-2008, 01:36 AM

glad he was fired. if he had asked instead of demanding, i'd be all for giving him free coffee. look at what they do for us. instead, he wanted to act like a 5 year old. i hate cops who think they're above the law.

OH Nuts! · 07-20-2008, 10:03 AM

The cop threatening the store was clear unethical behavior and he deserved to be canned. He also compromised the Police Department through his actions.

In my heart I'm all for giving cops and fireman freebies, but if I owned a food store I probably wouldn't - as it might possibly be seen as trying to influence someone - even though we're not talking abt big bucks here; instead I'd contribute heavily to sanctioned fundraising events like a Policeman's Ball, drive to raise $ for vests etc.

theshark8777 · 07-20-2008, 10:28 AM

When I worked in fast food we gave the cops free drinks. But they never cut in line nor came back 6 or 7 times in a shift. They also either waited their turn, or we'd see them come in and we'd get them their usual. lol

Mikado · 07-20-2008, 11:41 AM

We all know how over the years society has grown used to the subtle bribery of officials (free coffee for cops and firemen, apple for the teacher, etc), so, it's not surprising that this officer felt himself entitled to special favours, and that's the problem; we need to put a stop to all forms of bribery.(As if THAT will ever happen

) Anyway, the firing was justified. This story reminds me of the "Taxman" story on Corner Gas where Policeman Davis Quinton starts giving out parking tickets to cars in parking lots and stopped at stop signs, to retaliate for the fact that Lacey ( new owner of the coffee shop ) refused to give him free coffee (The way the former owner did)

.

Brian Damage · 07-20-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Part of his punishment should be to force him to work at Starbucks for a few months, lol.

He might have no choice now that he is unemployed. lol

BarneyFife · 07-20-2008, 12:29 PM

Yes, they did the right thing.

View Poll Results: Do you think the Cop should have been fired?
Yes	40	88.89%
No	5	11.11%
Other (Please explain)	0	0%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

07-19-2008, 11:34 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	POLL: Cop Fired for Demanding Free Coffee Cop Fired for Demanding Free Coffee DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP)- An internal affairs report says a Daytona Beach police officer demanded free coffee and tea from a Starbucks and threatened employees with slower emergency response times if they refused. Lt. Major Garvin, a 15-year veteran, was fired July 8. According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Chief Mike Chitwood says Garvin recently failed a polygraph test that he insisted on taking. The coffeehouse's employees claim that since June 2007, Garvin had visited the store as many as six times a night while on duty. Besides demanding free drinks, workers complained that Garvin also cut in front of paying customers. A telephone listing for Garvin could not be found. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

07-19-2008, 11:42 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I definitely think so, he is no better than some random person stealing from a store. They did the right thing by firing him.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-19-2008, 11:44 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,412	I think the firing was justified, Just another idiot cop hell-bent on showing his authority. Daytona Beach is better off without him on the force.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-20-2008, 01:30 AM	#7
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	i worked at coffee bean last year & we gave police officers & firemen free drinks (whatever it may be...coffee, ice blended drinks, lattes, etc) and only charged for their food items. it wasn't required, but it was just a form of courtesy. however, they were amazing & never once gave us attitude. they tipped us more than regular customers did & they were always there when we needed them. lol. but yes, the cop should've been fired. he's not entitled to free coffee. he can be given free coffee out of respect, but that's not the same at every coffee shop, and he shouldn't have demanded it. and the fact that the threatened them with slower response time in case of an emergency is even worse.
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

07-20-2008, 12:11 AM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	If the cop hadn't threatened to withhold police protection from them, I'd say an unpaid suspension would suffice; however, he crossed a line with that threat. Part of his punishment should be to force him to work at Starbucks for a few months, lol.

07-20-2008, 12:24 AM	#5
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,768	It seems everyone is united on this. I too think the firing was justified-a police officer shoould have to pay for his coffee just like anybody else. Being a police officer does not entitle him to special rights or privilages. And he absolutely crossed a line that no police officer has the right to cross when he made the threats that he made against the Starbucks employees.

07-20-2008, 12:28 AM	#6
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,412	Wasn't there a Starbucks in NY that charged emergency workers $100 and up for a case of bottled water when 9-11 occurred? I may be wrong but I could swear I read that somewhere. If that's the case then this cop is no better.

07-20-2008, 01:32 AM	#8
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Yes

07-20-2008, 01:36 AM	#10
PlayOn ADHD: what I have not who I am Senior Member Join Date: Jun 17, 2006 Location: I'll never tell. :p Posts: 2,745	glad he was fired. if he had asked instead of demanding, i'd be all for giving him free coffee. look at what they do for us. instead, he wanted to act like a 5 year old. i hate cops who think they're above the law.
	__________________ Have you heard the ? Jesus saves!!!

07-20-2008, 10:03 AM	#11
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	The cop threatening the store was clear unethical behavior and he deserved to be canned. He also compromised the Police Department through his actions. In my heart I'm all for giving cops and fireman freebies, but if I owned a food store I probably wouldn't - as it might possibly be seen as trying to influence someone - even though we're not talking abt big bucks here; instead I'd contribute heavily to sanctioned fundraising events like a Policeman's Ball, drive to raise $ for vests etc.

07-20-2008, 10:28 AM	#12
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	When I worked in fast food we gave the cops free drinks. But they never cut in line nor came back 6 or 7 times in a shift. They also either waited their turn, or we'd see them come in and we'd get them their usual. lol
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

07-20-2008, 11:41 AM	#13
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	We all know how over the years society has grown used to the subtle bribery of officials (free coffee for cops and firemen, apple for the teacher, etc), so, it's not surprising that this officer felt himself entitled to special favours, and that's the problem; we need to put a stop to all forms of bribery.(As if THAT will ever happen ) Anyway, the firing was justified. This story reminds me of the "Taxman" story on Corner Gas where Policeman Davis Quinton starts giving out parking tickets to cars in parking lots and stopped at stop signs, to retaliate for the fact that Lacey ( new owner of the coffee shop ) refused to give him free coffee (The way the former owner did) .

07-20-2008, 12:29 PM	#15
BarneyFife Retired Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 02, 2008 Posts: 8,460	Yes, they did the right thing.
	__________________ BarneyFife has left the building.