GOOSE CREEK, S.C.–Recently, a retired law enforcement officer received quite the unfriendly welcome while attempting to order a meal from KFC in Goose Creek, according to Matthew Woodall, the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police Vice President, Tri-County Lodge #3.
“Instead of being cordially greeted by your employee, this member was asked if he was a cop. He replied that he was a retired cop and that he is now the director of a university of a security department,” Woodall stated in a letter to KFC’s owner. “Your employee responded with ‘I hate cops.'”
The retired officer reported the incident to the restaurant’s district manager only to be greeted by a lukewarm response, Woodall stated.
On Thursday, Seenu Kasturi, the owner of the Goose Creek KFC, reached out to the tri-county FOP vice president.
“We have a zero tolerance policy towards this type of behavior from ANYONE associated with me or my company,” Kasturi stated.
After the incident, Kasturi stated that his company fired the teen worker involved and has set up a protocol for what is expected from KFC’s managers and staff.
“We will create a notice to be posted at each store that not only includes our expectation on how to treat all of our customers, but especially those who are in uniform that serve our communities and country,” stated Kasturi.
According to Woodall, Kasturi’s heartfelt response was what the men and women who wear a badge needed to hear–support.
“What began as a negative episode has now turned into a supportive positive attitude towards law enforcement,” he stated.
