West Hartford Police, Dunkin' Donuts Officials Meet After 'We Don't Serve Cops' Incident

When the news broke over the weekend that a West Hartford police officer was told by a Dunkin’ Donuts employee that “we don’t serve cops here,” the community responded overwhelming in support of the officer and the department on social media and in story comments.

West Hartford Police Chief Tracey G. Gove and Assistant Chief Daniel Copping met with Dunkin’ Donuts officials on Monday morning to discuss the situation that unfolded Saturday morning at the 1234 Farmington Avenue location.

A police officer was waiting at the back of the line to buy a cup of coffee at the busy store at about 8:30 a.m. when an employee looked over at the officer and loudly said “he didn’t get the message, we don’t serve cops here,” according to a police report.

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The officer responded by saying nothing and walking out of the store.

As he returned to his police cruiser, the officer was approached by the manager of the Dunkin’ Donuts and the employee who made the comment.

The employee apologized and told the officer that she was only joking.

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, according to the report.

The employee then returned to the store with the officer and apologized to the patrons and offered the officer a free coffee but he declined and said he would go to a different store, according to the report.

The regional manager was notified of the incident and also met with the officer. The manager again apologized for the employee’s comment and said she would handle the matter, according to the report.

Dunkin’ Donuts also issued a statement apologizing for the incident.

Both sides emerged from Monday’s meeting with a mutual respect for each other.

Gove issued a statement after the meeting, thanking the community “for the overwhelming support shown to our officer and agency over the past two days.”

Gove also said that he’s “proud of the way our officer handled this situation and I am grateful to Dunkin Donuts for its prompt response.”

“This morning, Assistant Chief Coppinger and I met with the regional franchise President who offered his apology for what had taken place,” Gove said in the statement. “He listened intently as we conveyed our concerns and the concerns of our officers. It was clear after our meeting 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. 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.”