Man impersonated policeman for 12 months to get cheap meals from Fasta Pasta at Springwood
A MAN who pretended to be a police officer to get cheap food from a pasta restaurant has had his last discounted meal.
When the 30-year-old turned up at Springwood's Fasta Pasta last night, the real police were waiting and arrested him.
The lurk had gone on for about 12 months before managers became suspicious and rang police to complain.
Officers said his alleged ``method of operation'' involved flashing a pretend police badge and demanding discounted food.
He has been charged with impersonating a police officer and will appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on April 30.
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Why is Fasta Pasta even offering discounted meals to Queensland Police?
When "Honest" Ray Whitrod was Commissioner he tried to outlaw this practice, saying it was improper for police to receive gifts and gratuities for simply doing their job and saying it was conduct which eventually lead to graft and corruption.
His argument was that police eventually come to expect these free gifts but as the former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser said: "There is no such thing as a free lunch".
The owners of Fasta Pasta are doing the wrong thing by the community for allowing their managers to give police these discounted meals.
Haven't they read the report from the Fitzgerald Inquiry as how systemic corruption in the police force grew from small beginnings?
Former jailed Police Commissioner Terry Lewis was once famously quoted: "Little fish are sweet", in reference to all of the small amounts of corruption which he enjoyed over the years - and got 14 well-deserved years for his abuse of office.
Fasta Pasta should apologise to the people of Queensland for being caught up in this scandal.
They have no right to be offering police free or discounted meals. What do they expect in return?
If Fasta Pasta says "nothing", then why are the police getting this perk?
Fasta Pasta is acting disgracefully and contrary to all notions of propriety in a modern, democratic society where police conduct be - and seen to be - above reproach.
What is the current Commissioner doing about the practice?
Bob Atkinson is regarded as an "honest cop". As a result of the overnight scandal in Springwood, he should step in and ban the discounted meal practice across Queensland immediately.
Spokesman for Queensland Consumer Watch Paul Tully said all consumers should get the same deal as police.
"Why should Fasta Pasta single out the police for freebies and not give the same deal to everyone else.
"Why can't nurses, teachers, motor mechanics and housewives get cheap meals from Fasta Pasta as well?"
