After deliberately insulting a police officer, the Taco Bell employee that wrote “PIG” on the order of a Newton police officer was finally let go.
A social media outrage broke out after the photo of two taco orders with “PIG” casually written on them was posted by an individual not involved with the incident. The photo went viral last Saturday.
“PIG” found on Taco Bell food served to Kansas police officer, fiancé: http://t.co/SLIUmzJQuZ pic.twitter.com/yl0BM8j1xT
— 41 Action News (@41ActionNews) August 2, 2015
The insensitive remark was directed towards an officer of the Newton Police Department and his fiancé who were just trying to get a quick bite. The police officer has been with the department for about one year.
Taco Bell Senior Director of Operations, Jeff Graves personally announced the firing of the employee responsible for the hateful act. Graves further said that the employee’s views in no way refelcted that of the company’s.
“We do not share the same belief or view as the employee whatsoever. Our company, Taco Bell, has always been pro-law enforcement, military. We’ve always supported the police in our community. Many of our restaurants give police discounts when they come in and eat,” said the Taco Bell official.
The Newton Police Department was not resentful as they publicly responded to the offense against one of their officers.
“The store manager is terribly apologetic of the actions of her employee and assures us the situation is being handled appropriately,” said the police department in a Facebook post. “We understand the incident was the action of an individual, and do not hold ill will to Taco Bell or any of its employees, even the individual who wrote the message.”
Together with Taco Bell, the Newton Police Department are planning to host a community event sometime next week to show the camaraderie between the two parties through productive work in the community.