Supermarket offers free coffee for officers in bid to deter shoplifters

21 August 2023

West Midlands Police Federation deputy chair Jason Dooley says officers are only human and often need to take their breaks in public.

Jase said that officers taking refreshments while on duty was an accepted practice in America but there was a stigma around it in the UK.

Now he’s encouraging people to say ‘hello’ to officers who are having refreshments as he pointed to the benefits of them taking their breaks while out and about.

Jase was speaking after Waitrose and John Lewis offered free hot drinks to on-duty police officers in a bid to deter shoplifters.

John Lewis Partnership has written to the Police Federation of England and Wales to say officers can claim a free tea or coffee from drinks machines as long as they bring a reusable cup.

Officers, including Specials and Police Community Support Officers, will also be able to use staff cafeterias for breaks and buy discounted food as well.

John Lewis Partnership has called the initiative “thanks a latte”.

Jase said: “Officers are only human and need time to refuel, and they can’t always go back to the police station to have their break.

The Waitrose supermarket logo

“There are benefits of an officer having refreshments in the public eye, not least the deterrent they give when doing this.

“The public feel safe, criminals would rather go elsewhere, and officers can stay out on their patch for longer.

“In the US officers do this regularly and it’s an accepted practice by the public. However, here in the West Midlands, and with other forces, we’ve seen the stigma of officers eating and drinking on duty and videos and images being posted on social media.

“People need to remember that if an emergency call comes in, officers have to drop everything and turn out to that call.

“On occasions their food is ruined by doing this, but it’s what our members do on a daily basis.

“If you see an officer on their break while out and about, say hello to them and give a smile. They’re there to protect you and the wider public from harm.”

Nicki Juniper, head of security for the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We’ve already got great relationships with some local police forces, but want to see this reflected across all our stores.

“Offering these perks is a win-win; the police already work incredibly hard, so will have more options to take a break, while also building even better relationships with our frontline teams.

“Likewise, even just having a police car parked outside can make people think twice about shoplifting from our branches, or becoming aggressive towards our partners.”