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Dunkin’ Donuts apologizes to police officers for New England incidents Dunkin’ Donuts apologizes to police officers for New England incidents
(35 minutes later)
Police officers in New England faced negative reactions from employees at two different Dunkin’ Donuts locations over the weekend.Police officers in New England faced negative reactions from employees at two different Dunkin’ Donuts locations over the weekend.
At a Dunkin’ Donuts in Providence, Rhode Island on Friday, a local police officer received a cup with “#blacklivesmatter” written on the side, a reference to the protest movement opposed to police violence. The next day, in West Hartford, Connecticut, an employee reportedly told a police officer waiting in line: “We don’t serve cops here.”At a Dunkin’ Donuts in Providence, Rhode Island on Friday, a local police officer received a cup with “#blacklivesmatter” written on the side, a reference to the protest movement opposed to police violence. The next day, in West Hartford, Connecticut, an employee reportedly told a police officer waiting in line: “We don’t serve cops here.”
Following the incident in Providence, the local police union, which represents Providence police officers, spoke out. The Fraternal Order of Police, whose members believe that “all lives matter”, said the incident is “unacceptable and discouraging”.Following the incident in Providence, the local police union, which represents Providence police officers, spoke out. The Fraternal Order of Police, whose members believe that “all lives matter”, said the incident is “unacceptable and discouraging”.
“The negativity displayed by the #Blacklivesmatter organization towards Police across this nation is creating a hostile environment that is not resolving any problems or issues, but making it worse for our communities,” the union said in a statement.“The negativity displayed by the #Blacklivesmatter organization towards Police across this nation is creating a hostile environment that is not resolving any problems or issues, but making it worse for our communities,” the union said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in West Hartford, an employee told a waiting police officer that the store would not serve him. According to West Hartford police, the officer was standing in the back of the line when the employee said: “He didn’t get the message, we don’t serve cops here.” The officer then left the fast food restaurant, according to FOX CT, the local FOX affiliate.Meanwhile, in West Hartford, an employee told a waiting police officer that the store would not serve him. According to West Hartford police, the officer was standing in the back of the line when the employee said: “He didn’t get the message, we don’t serve cops here.” The officer then left the fast food restaurant, according to FOX CT, the local FOX affiliate.
Police said the Dunkin’ Donuts manager apologized to the officer in the parking lot, and said the employee was “only joking”. The officer suggested she apologize to the people in the store.Police said the Dunkin’ Donuts manager apologized to the officer in the parking lot, and said the employee was “only joking”. The officer suggested she apologize to the people in the store.
West Hartford police chief Tracey Gove said in a statement on Facebook that after meeting with the regional Dunkin’ Donuts franchise president, who apologized, it became clear that “police officers are more than welcome in Dunkin’ Donuts”.West Hartford police chief Tracey Gove said in a statement on Facebook that after meeting with the regional Dunkin’ Donuts franchise president, who apologized, it became clear that “police officers are more than welcome in Dunkin’ Donuts”.
“Though I am troubled by the fact that the statement was made, I believe the quick apology by the employee, manager and the president was the proper way to handle the matter,” Gove continued.“Though I am troubled by the fact that the statement was made, I believe the quick apology by the employee, manager and the president was the proper way to handle the matter,” Gove continued.
“This situation is an important reminder that we all need to be conscious and aware of the words we use. Just as we hope the public will not judge all police officers by an individual’s error, I believe we must extend the same degree of respect to Dunkin’ and its employees who go to work every day to make ends meet.”“This situation is an important reminder that we all need to be conscious and aware of the words we use. Just as we hope the public will not judge all police officers by an individual’s error, I believe we must extend the same degree of respect to Dunkin’ and its employees who go to work every day to make ends meet.”
Via Twitter, Dunkin’ Donuts said: “We are aware, Dunkin’ Donuts & our franchisees share a commitment to the well-being & fair treatment of all of guests. The crew member exhibited poor judgement & the franchisee has apologized to the police officer on behalf of Dunkin’ Donuts.”Via Twitter, Dunkin’ Donuts said: “We are aware, Dunkin’ Donuts & our franchisees share a commitment to the well-being & fair treatment of all of guests. The crew member exhibited poor judgement & the franchisee has apologized to the police officer on behalf of Dunkin’ Donuts.”
“These incidents in no way represent our company’s strong commitment to the fair treatment and well-being of all our guests,” Dunkin’ Donuts said in a statement to the Guardian. “From first responders to the military, Dunkin’ Donuts has a long history of supporting those responsible for the safety of our neighborhoods and our country.” “These incidents in no way represent our company’s strong commitment to the fair treatment and well-being of all our guests,” Dunkin’ Donuts spokeswoman Karen Raskopf said in a statement to the Guardian. “From first responders to the military, Dunkin’ Donuts has a long history of supporting those responsible for the safety of our neighborhoods and our country.”
The statement continued: “While these particular incidents are isolated to two restaurants, we see this as an opportunity to work closely with all of our franchisees and their crew members across the country to reinforce our obligation to serve all of our guests with dignity and respect, and to demonstrate our sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who makes Dunkin’ Donuts part of their daily lives.”The statement continued: “While these particular incidents are isolated to two restaurants, we see this as an opportunity to work closely with all of our franchisees and their crew members across the country to reinforce our obligation to serve all of our guests with dignity and respect, and to demonstrate our sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who makes Dunkin’ Donuts part of their daily lives.”
The incidents in New England are similar to resistance police officers have faced in other restaurants in the US. In September, two Texas police officers said they were refused service at a Whataburger restaurant in Lewisville. As in West Hartford, they were told: “We don’t serve police officers here.”The incidents in New England are similar to resistance police officers have faced in other restaurants in the US. In September, two Texas police officers said they were refused service at a Whataburger restaurant in Lewisville. As in West Hartford, they were told: “We don’t serve police officers here.”
Whataburger posted on its Facebook page on 16 September that the employee who refused service is no longer employed with the fast food restaurant.Whataburger posted on its Facebook page on 16 September that the employee who refused service is no longer employed with the fast food restaurant.
Earlier in September, Arby’s fired a manager and a clerk at a Florida branch after they refused to serve a police officer, the Sun Sentinel reported.Earlier in September, Arby’s fired a manager and a clerk at a Florida branch after they refused to serve a police officer, the Sun Sentinel reported.
The manager told the police officer: “He doesn’t want to serve you because you are a police officer.”The manager told the police officer: “He doesn’t want to serve you because you are a police officer.”