National Police Union: Dunkin’ Donuts Not Socially Responsible

Monday, October 05, 2015

Kate Nagle, GoLocalProv News Editor

The President of the National Fraternal Order of Police tells GoLocal that Dunkin' Donuts "is not being socially responsible" -- and that officers should be concerned -- following two incidents involving Dunkin' Donuts workers and law enforcement.

As GoLocal first reported on Saturday, a Dunkin' Donuts employee wrote #blacklivesmatter on a Providence officer's cup, to which the Providence FOP issued a strong response. Then on Saturday, an officer was refused service at a Dunkin' Donuts in West Hartford, Connecticut. Responding to a GoLocal inquiry, National FOP President Chuck Canterbury addressed both incidents. 

FOP on the Record
"Any profession that has suffered from negative media and an anti-rhetoric campaign would and should be concerned about tainted food service especially when someone would take the steps to sign a container by hand," said Canterbury of what took place in Providence. 

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Providence Police Officer William O'Donnell posted to Facebook on Saturday to express his concern about what had happened. "We have to look at the possibility if "Black Lives Matter" is on the cup, is there anything else going into the cup? That is a possibility, given what's going on around the country," wrote O'Donnell. "If a guy goes in for a cup of coffee at a place we know, where we're patrons at, and they've always been great with us, do we have to worry?"

Regarding the West Hartford incident, Canterbury offered the following. 

"The refusal to wait on anyone because of their status of employment or any other bias based refusal is also concerning and any business that tolerates that behavior is not being socially responsible," said Canterbury. "It appears that the Franchise owner in Connecticut took responsibility and offered the appropriate response and I applaud his immediate action.'

Canterbury said that there was not plan for a boycott as of Sunday. 

"That is a local issue as far as I am aware,' said Canterbury. "The National has not discussed."

Providence FOP's Emergency Meeting

As GoLocal reported on Saturday:

The FOP letter states:

We as a union representing Providence police officers are concerned about the welfare and safety of all members of law enforcement.

This behavior by an employee of a nationwide corporation is unacceptable. We are also concerned by the action of this employee who created a perceived safety issue to our officers. 

We bring this incident to the attention of other law enforcement officers across the city, state, and country, to remind them to stay vigilant in our efforts to protect and serve. 

We also thank those members of the community who continue to support law enforcement officers and work with law enforcement officers to create a safe community for everyone because ALL LIVES MATTER. 

Dunkin' Donuts in Spotlight

Dunkin' Donuts did not respond to request for comment following the Connecticut incident as it came on the heels of what took place in Providence. 

According to Time Magazine:

Dunkin’ Brands Group comparable sales growth slowed at its U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in the third quarter and the company said 100 U.S outlets would be closed.
The company also maintained the full-year profit and revenue forecasts it had issued in April, helping send its shares down as much as 12.7%, their biggest intraday percentage decline ever.
Dunkin’ on Thursday said comparable sales at its U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts outlets rose 1.1% in the quarter ended September, compared with a 2% rise a year earlier.
 

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Related Articles

• NEW: Dunkin’ Donuts Corporate Responds to GoLocal Report on #BlackLivesMatter, Prov Police
• EXCLUSIVE: Dunkin’ Donuts Worker Writes ‘#BlackLivesMatter’ on Police Officer’s Cup
• Providence Police Union Says Dunkin’ Donuts Employee Safety Issue to Officers

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