Comprehensive Guide To First Responder Freebies And Discounts For Police Officers

Oct. 31, 2025, 5:49 p.m.

Tags: police

First responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, provide essential services that keep communities safe. In recognition of their contributions, many businesses offer special discounts, freebies, and promotional opportunities throughout the year. This guide provides detailed information about the various free samples, promotional offers, and benefits available specifically to police officers and other first responders in the United States.

National First Responders Day Freebies

National First Responders Day, observed annually on October 28th, represents a significant opportunity for police officers and other first responders to receive complimentary items and special discounts. This daylong event features freebies at national chain restaurants, with offers ranging in value from free cookies to free entrees. Most of these promotions do not require a purchase but do require presentation of a valid work ID to verify first responder status.

The documentation confirms that National First Responders Day always occurs on October 28th, with future dates established in advance. For example, the event will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. While the source material mentions "predicted" food discounts for 2026, specific details about these offers are not provided in the available information.

Access to these National First Responders Day benefits typically requires verification of first responder status through approved platforms such as SheerID, ID.me, or VerifyPass when redeeming offers online. For in-person promotions at restaurants and retailers, presentation of a valid work ID is generally sufficient to qualify for the special offers.

Year-Round First Responder Discounts

Beyond special recognition days, numerous businesses provide ongoing discounts and benefits to police officers and other first responders. These offers span various categories including apparel, electronics, insurance, travel, and more.

Apparel and Gear Discounts

Several companies offer percentage-based discounts on their products for first responders: - Adidas provides 30% off for police officers, firefighters, EMS, and other first responders, with verification required through their website. - Under Armour offers 20% off for active duty and retired police officers, firefighters, and EMTs on all products purchased online. Eligible customers can select "ID.me Discount" at checkout to verify their status. - Crestline offers a variety of police-related promotional items including drinkware, tech gifts, and apparel that can be personalized with department insignia.

Electronics and Technology

Samsung provides discounts of up to 30% for first responders including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs through their discount programs. These discounts can typically be combined with most other offers for additional savings.
Optics Planet offers up to 30% off on over 275 products for first responders, including gear for hunting, shooting, optics, tactical, and outdoor activities.

Insurance and Financial Services

Liberty Mutual Auto and Home insurance offers 12% savings to first responders who are members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) or the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). IAFF members should use group discount #110032, while FOP members should use group #120824 when obtaining a free online quote.

Travel and Transportation

Heroes Vacation Club provides travel benefits exclusively to first responders, with potential savings of up to 60% on hotels. Members can book accommodations, airfare, car rentals, activities, and cruises through this program. When signing up, first responders should select "Badge Discounts" as their organization.
Alamo Car Rental offers discounted special rates to federal government employees, including federal law enforcement officers and other US government first responders, for both off-duty leisure travel and official business travel.

Communication Services

AT&T and FirstNet provide first responders with prioritized connectivity on the FirstNet network, 25% off the best wireless plans for their families, consolidated billing, and dedicated 24/7 support.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Days and Events

In addition to National First Responders Day, several other occasions throughout the year provide opportunities for police officers to receive recognition and special offers:

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Observed annually on January 9th, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day serves as an opportunity for communities to thank local law enforcement professionals with special events and gifts. Many businesses offer discounts or promotional items specifically for this occasion.

National Police Week

National Police Week centers around Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th each year and includes commemorative events honoring officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The specific week for National Police Week is determined by the calendar week in which May 15th falls.

Other Recognition Opportunities

Additional occasions when police departments may receive special recognition items or discounts include: - Annual awards banquets - Holiday seasons - Police academy graduation ceremonies - Retirement celebrations - Crime Prevention Week (first Monday of September) - Community events and recruitment fairs

Police Promotional Items and Gifts

Numerous companies specialize in providing customized promotional items and gifts specifically designed for law enforcement personnel. These items serve both as tokens of appreciation and as practical tools for officers in their daily duties.

Popular Police Promotional Items

According to the available information, commonly requested police promotional items include: - Awareness Ribbon Pens with thin blue line themes - 40 oz Intrepid Stainless Steel Tumblers - 2500 mAh 3-in-1 Flip Power Banks - Embroidered Carhartt® Watch Caps 2.0 - Heroic Professions Drawstring Backpacks with exclusive 3D designs - 20 oz Water Bottles with Police Hat Lids - Custom Engraved Renegade LED Flashlights (Mini) - Police Spin Top Pens with Stylus features - 2D Custom-Molded Clog Shoe Charms - Badge Stickers on Roll (2 3/8" x 3 1/16" Foil Papers) - Police Officers Care Color Books - Reflective Snap Wrist Bands

Customization and Ordering Information

Many of these promotional items require minimum order quantities that vary depending on the product. For example: - Awareness Ribbon Pens: Minimum 150 units at $2.67 each - 40 oz Intrepid Stainless Steel Tumblers: Minimum 1 unit at $63.85 each - 2500 mAh 3-in-1 Flip Power Banks: Minimum 1 unit at $132.77 each - Heroic Professions Drawstring Backpacks: Minimum 50 units at $1.79 each - Badge Stickers: Minimum 250 units at $0.41 each

These items can be customized with department insignia, officer names, or other personalized elements to create meaningful tokens of appreciation.

Community Engagement Items

Police departments often utilize promotional items to build goodwill and engage with community members, particularly children. Some effective community engagement items include: - Clog charms molded into police-themed shapes and colors - Stickers featuring police badges - Coloring books with law enforcement themes - Reflective safety items like wrist bands - Practical items bearing police department insignia that officers can distribute at community events

These items help humanize law enforcement personnel and foster positive relationships between police departments and the communities they serve.

Eligibility and Verification Requirements

The availability of first responder benefits varies by company, and each organization establishes its own policies regarding which emergency personnel qualify for discounts or special offers.

Who Typically Qualifies

Most businesses that offer first responder benefits extend these privileges to: - Law enforcement officers (including local, state, and federal) - Firefighters and fire department personnel - Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) - Some programs may include retired first responders - Certain companies may limit eligibility to specific organizations or membership groups

Verification Methods

Businesses use various methods to verify first responder status, including: - Presentation of valid work ID in person - Online verification through platforms like ID.me, SheerID, or VerifyPass - Membership verification for organizations like IAFF or FOP - Government rate verification for some travel and accommodation services

Company-Specific Policies

The source material emphasizes that while most businesses allow all qualifying emergency personnel to access their discounts, some offers may be restricted to specific occupations or organizations. First responders should refer to the terms and conditions on individual company websites to determine eligibility requirements and verification processes.

Conclusion

Police officers and other first responders have access to a wide range of freebies, discounts, and promotional benefits throughout the year. These offers include special recognition on National First Responders Day (October 28th), Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (January 9th), and during National Police Week (centered around May 15th). Year-round benefits span numerous categories including apparel, electronics, insurance, travel, and communication services.

Eligibility requirements and verification methods vary by company, with most requiring proof of first responder status through work ID presentation or online verification platforms. Many businesses also offer customized promotional items that police departments can use for recognition events, community engagement, or distribution to officers.

While the source material confirms the availability of numerous benefits, specific offers, discount percentages, and availability may vary by location and participating locations. First responders should check with individual businesses for current offers and complete eligibility details.