Police, Community React To Dunkin’ Donuts Worker’s Controversial Comment

WEST HARTFORD — People from Connecticut and across the country reacted on social media over the weekend to a local Dunkin’ Donuts worker’s comment with a West Hartford police officer waiting in line that the store wouldn’t serve police officers.

Dozens tweeted the accounts of the local Connecticut Dunkin’ Donuts franchise group and the national Dunkin’ Donuts headquarters, many users calling for a boycott of the company and for the employee, who police said told the officer, “We don’t serve cops here,” to be fired.

Both accounts answered with the same response: “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.”

Connecticut State Police tweeted support for the franchise on Sunday.

“Despite the actions of 1, we know our friends @DunkinDonuts support us,” the state police account posted.

The tweet was in response to an incident on Saturday at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1234 Farmington Ave., during which a West Hartford police officer waiting in line was told by an employee that “we don’t serve cops here,” according to a police report.

According to the police report, the employee noticed the officer at the back of the line and she loudly said, “he didn’t get the message, we don’t serve cops here,” according to police.

The officer left the busy store without any further interaction with employees, and as he returned to his car, the store’s manager and the employee approached him, offering apologies for the comment, police said. The employee said she was joking.

The employee offered the officer a free cup of coffee, but the officer declined and said he would go to a different store, instead, police said.

The officer suggested that the employee apologize to any store patrons who had been offended by her comments, and the employee did so, police said.

Lt. Chris Chappell said Sunday afternoon that the department has received messages of support. He said a woman even stopped by the department and left some muffins — from Dunkin’ Donuts — with a note saying that officers don’t deserve to be treated that way and that the department is appreciated.

Chief Tracey Gove said: “I’m proud of the way our officer handled the situation and grateful to Dunkin’ Donuts for their prompt response. Police officers face insults on a regular basis and we all strive to face them with professionalism. That’s exactly what happened here.”

Gove said he spok with the officer and will meet with the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise managers on Monday.

“I believe it’s important to touch base with everyone involved so we have a mutual understanding of what took place and how to best move forward,” Gove said.

An employee at the Farmington Avenue store who declined to give her name said no action planned against the employee for now.

Michelle King, Dunkin’ Donuts’ senior director of global public relations, issued a statement on Sunday.

“We are aware of the situation at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1234 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford,” King said. “The crew member exhibited poor judgment and apologized immediately to the police officer. The franchise owner, a long-time supporter of local police, has also reached out to apologize on behalf of the restaurant. Dunkin’ Donuts and our franchisees share a commitment to the well-being and fair treatment of all guests.”

Courant staff writer Michael Walsh contributed to this story.

Editor’s Note: The headline and first paragraph of this story has been changed since it was originally published in order to clarify the circumstances leading to the police officer’s departure from Dunkin’ Donuts Saturday afternoon.