This archive report was first published on 1 December 2019.
On Thanksgiving, a Kiefer, Oklahoma police officer made a Starbucks run to thank emergency dispatchers for working during the holiday. However, when he received his order, he was shocked to see the word 'PIG' printed on the cup's label.
The officer, a member of the Kiefer Police Department, took the order to the dispatchers and contacted Police Chief Johnny O'Mara, who was on vacation at the time. The word 'PIG' was printed on all five cups, according to a statement from Starbucks.
Chief O'Mara called the Starbucks in Glenpool, Oklahoma, and the manager offered to reprint the cups, which the chief deemed an insufficient apology. The barista later contacted the officer, apologized, and explained that it was meant as a joke.
Chief O'Mara posted about the incident on Facebook, prompting Starbucks to investigate. He expressed his disappointment, stating, 'What irks me is the absolute and total disrespect for a police officer who, instead of being home with his family and enjoying a meal and a football game, is patrolling his little town.'
Despite speculation on social media that the officer was responsible for the word on the label, a Starbucks statement clarified that the barista 'wrote this offensive word,' used 'poor judgment,' and was ultimately fired for violating company policy.
Starbucks also announced that it would work with law enforcement agencies to educate its employees nationwide and promote understanding and respect. The company has a history of apologizing for its baristas' actions, including a 2018 incident in which a barista in Arizona asked police officers to leave the coffeehouse.
