PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A 19-year-old Arby's employee who allegedly refused to serve a Pembroke Pines police officer earlier this week will not be fired by the fast-food chain, his grandfather told WPLG.
The man said his grandson, Kenneth Davenport, met off site Friday morning with managers, who told him that he would be suspended for several days but would not lose his job.
The manager of the restaurant has since been fired.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Arby's traveled to South Florida Friday to personally meet with the heads of the Broward and Miami-Dade County Police Benevolent Association.
"He was a very pleasant man. He said he assured us that he would do everything he can to make sure that proper training is held across America in all the stores of Arby's," Miami-Dade PBA President John Rivera said. "(He said) that he is very pro law enforcement and he apologizes profusely."
According to an offense report by Sgt. Jennifer Martin, the officer ordered food Tuesday night in the restaurant's drive-thru and drove to the window to pay.
Martin claims that Davenport took her credit card. She said the restaurant's manager, Angel Mirabal, 22, approached the window and said, "He doesn't want to serve you because you are a police officer."
Martin claims that Mirabel served her, but she immediately went inside to get a refund and chose to dine somewhere else.
According to the report, Mirabel told Martin that Davenport was allowed to refuse her service.
The incident sparked outrage across police departments throughout South Florida, prompting Arby's CEO Paul Brown to issue a public apology.
"Please accept our sincerest apology for the recent incident that occurred at our Arby's restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Florida," Brown said in a letter. "This isolated incident does not represent Arby's Restaurant Group's views and Arby's values. We appreciate all that you do, as well as the hard work and sacrifices of your fellow law enforcement officials in communities across America."
Brown also offered all Miami-Dade and Broward police officers a free combo meal at any Arby's location in the two counties on Friday.
"There's still hurt, so we're going to leave it up to every individual officer to make up their own mind about whether they come and choose to enjoy the generosity that was offered by Mr. Brown," Rivera said.
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