[d3ntb3ev1l]

If Cops accept cards through an organized and supported system, seems to indicate they would take bribes just as easily.

[eli]

The cards are bribes. They have a cash value. You can earn them in exchange for "small business favors and deals" extended to officers.

[kelnos]

I think the difference is in the incentive to stop someone in the moment.

In places where cash bribes are common, police will pull people over -- even if they've done nothing wrong -- in order to solicit a bribe.

That sort of thing isn't possible with the "courtesy cards", so police stops are more likely to be for legitimate reasons (or at least no more or less legitimate than in an ideal system), but people who shouldn't get away with things often will.