When I worked for local government (parks and recreation 20 years), though not in police work, our official policy was that we could accept minimal gifts equivalant to $5 or less. However, no amount of cash could be accepted. I was often given a glass of tea, water or soda while removing hazardous trees from the borders of our parks adjacent to private property. During the Christmastime, some of our youth sports leagues, that we provided the athletic facilities for, would give my crew fruit baskets as a thank you. All acceptable under our local government's official policy.
Gordy