Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge for countersigning my friends' passport photos?

candygirl

If you renew your passport digitally at the post office, you don't need a counter signature, unless your appearance has changed dramatically;)
I never used to charge, when I signed for friends

REJP

No.
If you do charge remember it is taxable if you pay tax.

REJP

G.P.'s have always charged for countersigning passports.
However, I am in a profession allowed to countersign, I do my G.P.'s free and he does mine free.
No problem or dilemma.

Durban

I can also countersign and certainly wouldn't charge anyone

You will not be allowed to profit from being a police officer and I would imagine that your Professional Standards Dept would take an extremely dim view if you did this. Your job could even be at risk.

Pensionerkbm

What a stupid question. Us teachers have been doing it for years for friends and neighbours. Wouldn’t dream of charging.

Chunkeemonkey

Personally if it was me I would and instead of having to dig your passport out each time could you write the details down and keep in a safe place maybe locked on your phone or written down inside of a diary. If I asked a friend this and they said yes but I’m charging you I would think they’re taking the !!!!!

Chunkeemonkey

I wrote yes I would but I meant yes I’d fill it in but absolutely no I wouldn’t charge them

JanGran

Absolutely not. Apart from saying this is a friend, anyone can call into any police station with suitable ID and get it done for free. I think if you seriously wanted to charge for it, you need to check with your superiors to see if that is allowed - it's a bit like taking a pay off for something.

UK064923

Even if helping my friends out has a cost implication , for example giving someone a lift, which also involves more time sacrifice than getting my passport out, I would never want Payment.
I assume you would declare charging for your signature on your tax return and advise your employer you had an outside employment interest.

Cheshiretinman

If you have recently become a Police Officer and are asking yourself this question already, then you're clearly in the wrong career! What else would you accept money for? Complete a passport application form for someone you don't actually know? Turning a blind eye to criminal activity? As a Police Officer you are there to serve the community and if you're asked by your friends or persons that you have known a sufficient time to sign their passport application form accordingly then you should do so as part of your duty as a constable. (Unless of course your Force prohibits this?). This post just goes to show that the standard of new police recruits these days is sadly lacking.