Barista Suspended After Writing 'Pig' on Police Officer's Cup

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An employee at an Oklahoma Starbucks has been suspended and the company has apologized after a police officer received his order with the name 'Pig' written on the cup.

According to Keifer Police Chief Johnny O'Mara, the offending name on the cup was been handed to one of his officers, who'd purchased several beverages for the dispatchers on duty during the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday as a kind gesture and thanks.

"What irks me is the absolute and total disrespect for a police officer who, instead of being home with family and enjoying a meal and a football game, is patrolling his little town," O'Mara wrote in his post on Facebook, accompanying the photo.

"This cup of coffee for a “pig” is just another little flag. It’s another tiny symptom and a nearly indiscernible shout from a contemptuous, roaring and riotous segment of a misanthropic society that vilifies those who stand for what’s right and glorifies the very people who would usher in the destruction of the social fabric. It’s another tiny pinprick into the heart of men and women who are asking themselves more often: “Why am I doing this?”

The Facebook post quickly went viral, racking up thousands of shares.

Starbucks told iHeartRadio the barista responsible for writing the name on the cup has been suspended "pending the outcome of our investigation."

“This is absolutely unacceptable, and we are deeply sorry to the law enforcement officer who experienced this. We have also apologized directly to him and connected with the Chief of the Kiefer Police Department as well to express our remorse. The Starbucks partner who wrote this offensive word on a cup used poor judgement and is no longer a partner after this violation of company policy. This language is offensive to all law enforcement and is not representative of the deep appreciation we have for police officers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”

"Just pour the coffee, please," O'Mara wrote in the viral post. "Are we at a point where a task as simple as pouring an exceptionally overpriced cup of coffee is so complicated that it cannot be accomplished without “expressing oneself?”"

O'Mara added that'd contacted the Starbucks location where his officer had gotten the coffee and "was told they’d be happy to “replace the coffee with a correct label."

Photo: Getty Images


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