Starbucks apologized after an employee reportedly asked six police officers to leave or change their location in one of the company’s shops in a Phoenix suburb because another customer reported feeling unsafe.
Starbucks said it has “deep respect for the Tempe Police Department” and was apologizing “for any misunderstanding or inappropriate behavior that may have taken place” during the July 4 encounter.
“On behalf of Starbucks, I want to sincerely apologize to you all for the experience that six of your officers had in our store on July 4.” Read more: https://t.co/BC5dEon56E – Rossann Williams, executive vice president, president U.S. Retail
— Starbucks Stories (@Starbucksnews) July 7, 2019
According to the Tempe Officers Association, six Tempe Police Department officers stopped at a Starbucks in the city for coffee on Thursday.
After paying for their drinks, the officers “stood together having a cup of coffee before their long Fourth of July shift,” the association said. “They were approached by a barista, who knew one of the officers by name, because he is a regular at that location. The barista said that a customer ‘did not feel safe’ because of the police presence.”
2/4 and stood together having a cup of coffee before their long 4th of July shift. They were approached by a barista, who knew one of the officers by name, because he is a regular at that location. The barista said that a customer “did not feel safe” because of the police…
— Tempe Officers Association (@ToaAz) July 6, 2019
“The barista asked the officers to move out of the customer’s line of sight or to leave. Disappointed, the officers did in fact leave,” the association added.
It then criticized Starbucks for what happened.
“This treatment of public safety workers could not be more disheartening. While the barista was polite, making such a request at all was offensive. Unfortunately, such treatment has become all too common in 2019. We know this is not a national policy at Starbucks Corporate and we look forward to working collaboratively with them on this important dialogue,” the association stated.
4/4.. at all was offensive. Unfortunately, such treatment has become all too common in 2019.
We know this is not a national policy at Starbucks Corporate and we look forward to working collaboratively with them on this important dialogue.— Tempe Officers Association (@ToaAz) July 6, 2019
The Police Department said it hoped the incident was an isolated incident.
Don’t appreciate @Starbucks asking our #Tempe cops to leave your establishment on the #4thofjuly2019. Several of those cops are #veterans who fought for this country! #ZeroRespect pic.twitter.com/oGaDKhlYX3
— Tempe Officers Association (@ToaAz) July 5, 2019
Rob Ferraro, president of the association, said that people shouldn’t necessarily boycott Starbucks over what happened but called what happened “perplexing.”
“It’s become accepted to not trust or to see police and think that we’re not here to serve you, and again, it goes back to—we take great pride of the level of customer service we provide to citizens, and to be looked at as feeling unsafe when you have law enforcement around you is somewhat perplexing to me,” Ferraro told Fox 10.
Reactions
The incident has sparked heated debate on social media. Supporters of the police have launched a #boycottstarbucks campaign on Twitter. A number of social media users reacting to the news responded negatively to the barista’s reported actions.
“Sad state in America when Police are asked to leave @Starbucks because customers were uncomfortable?” wrote Paul Babeu, a former sheriff in Arizona.
Sad state in America when Police are asked to leave @Starbucks because customers were uncomfortable? @FOX10Phoenix @FoxNews https://t.co/NiprfyuLBR
— Sheriff Paul Babeu (@PaulBabeuAZ) July 6, 2019
“I hope the Tempe police, their families, and all those who support the police officers never set foot in that Starbucks again,” wrote another user.
I hope the Tempe police, their families, and all those who support the police officers never set foot in that Starbucks again. https://t.co/oALWR4EJIR
— Mary Lou Powner (@mlpowner) July 6, 2019
The Associated Press and NTD reporter Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
