WEST HARTFORD--Police and a Dunkin' Donuts franchisee sat down on Monday to discuss an incident that occurred Saturday that has been taking social media by storm.
On Saturday, a veteran West Hartford police officer went in to the Dunkin' located at 1234 Farmington Ave. when a female employee loudly said, "We don't serve cops here."
According to the police report, the employee then repeated to herself, "He didn't get the message, we don't serve cops here."
West Hartford Police Department Lt. Ted Stoneburner said the officer "was a little dumbfounded when it happened," but he walked out of the store. When he reached the parking lot, the store's manager came up behind him and apologized, and the employee said she was just kidding.
The officer told the employee that instead of apologizing to him, she should apologize to the people in the store who appeared to take offense to her comment. Police said the employee then returned to the store with the officer and apologized to the patrons, and offered the officer a free coffee, to which he declined and stated he would go to a different store.
On Saturday, Michelle King , senior director for global public relations for Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. issued the following statement:
"We are aware of the situation at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1234 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford. 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."
When Fox CT reached out to the franchise owner, Scott Fanning, on Monday, he released the following statement:
We have apologized for this isolated and unfortunate incident. Dunkin' Donuts firmly respects and fully supports the West Hartford police. We look forward to our continued positive relationship with all of the officers in town.
On Monday, Fanning and Mark Costs, another owner of the franchise, sat down with West Hartford Police Chief Tracey Gove and an assistant chief.
Lt. Stoneburner told FOx CT the meeting was productive.
"It was a very good meeting and they've come to a mutual understanding of the incident, and we have no ill feelings."
Now, Stoneburner says it's time to move on, and an official statement from the West Hartford Police that was released on Twitter had a similar message:
As did State Police, who said not to generalize the actions of one: