A female police officer in uniform was refused service at restaurant near the nation’s capital earlier this week, prompting an investigation.
The local Fox affiliate reported that the officer was standing in line at a Noodles & Company chain restaurant in the D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Virginia, when officials say the cook walked to the front of the restaurant and informed the cashier that the officer would not be served. The cashier and the cook proceeded to laugh at the police officer, who decided to leave after becoming aware of the situation, rather than make a scene.
In a statement, Noodles & Company officials said they were working with authorities to investigate and resolve the matter and promised to take “appropriate action” after determining the facts.
“Noodles & Company expects the highest ethical and personal behavior from its team members,” the statement read. “We value each of our guests and are committed to treating every one with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”
Alexandria police are also investigating the incident.
Tensions between citizens and police officers have risen in recent weeks following a string of violent episodes. Several police officers were recently murdered by lone gunmen in Dallas and Baton Rouge, and the incidents are believed to have been precipitated by the videotaped shooting of unarmed black men in St. Paul and Baton Rouge.
Several incidents of anti-police discrimination have also been documented. Earlier this month, the story of a group of police officers who paid the bill of a couple that refused to sit next to them at a Pittsburgh-area restaurant went viral.
“Sir, your check was paid for by the police officers you didn’t want to sit next to. Thank you for your support,” read the note on couple’s receipt.