Hartford

‘We Don't Serve Cops Here,' West Hartford Dunkin' Donuts Employee Tells Officer

A Dunkin' Donuts employee is apologizing after telling a police officer who was waiting to buy coffee that the West Hartford, Connecticut location doesn't serve cops, police said.

A West Hartford police officer was waiting at the back of the line in the Dunkin' Donuts at 1234 Farmington Ave. to buy a cup of coffee on Saturday morning when one of the employees said loudly in a room full of customers, "He didn't get the message. We don't serve cops here," police said.

The officer immediately left without another word from any workers.

While he was on his way to his cruiser, the franchise manager brought the employee outside to apologize to the officer and the employee told the officer the statement was a joke, according to the police report.

The officer responded by telling the employee to apologize to the customers who appeared offended, instead of to him, so the employee went inside with him and did just that.

The worker also offered the officer a free cup of coffee to make up for it, but he declined and said he would get one elsewhere, police reported.

The manager apologized for her employee's behavior and notified the regional manager, telling the officer she would handle the situation. Dunkin' Donuts corporate office was also notified.

"We are aware of the situation at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1234 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford," Michelle King, senior director of global public relations for Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. said in a statement released to NBC Connecticut. "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."

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