Arby’s in damage control over refusing to serve police officer, Sgt Jennifer Martin

In a statement, Pembroke Pines Police Department Chief Dan Giustino said he was “offended” and “appalled” at the incident, and that the department would be contacting the Arby’s CEO to demand an apology.

Giustino went on to say that the incident appears to be confined to a single individual employee, and is not in keeping with the support the department regularly receives from the Pembroke Pines community.

“We are very proud of the partnerships we have built within our city,” Giustino said. “For an incident like this to have happened is very disappointing for everyone.”

Kenneth Davenport photo/ screenshot from video coverage

Arby’s said the company takes “this isolated matter very seriously as we respect and support police officers in our local communities.”

“As soon as the issue was brought to our attention, our CEO spoke with the Police Chief who expressed his gratitude for our quick action and indicates the case is closed,” the statement reads. “We will be following up with our team members to be sure that our policy of inclusion is understood and adhered to.”

John Rivera, the president of the Miami-Dade Police Union, called for a boycott of Arby’s until the employees involved are fired.

“It is beyond comprehension and deeply troubling that a business would deny service to a law enforcement officer just for being a law enforcement officer,” Rivera said in a statement. “This is yet another example of the hostile treatment of our brave men and women simply because they wear a badge. It is unacceptable and warrants much more than an apology.”

Arby’s released a second statement Wednesday afternoon stating that they will be taking disciplinary action.

“We take this isolated matter very seriously as we respect and support police officers in our local communities. As soon as the issue was brought to our attention, our CEO spoke with the Police Chief who expressed his gratitude for our quick action and indicated the case is closed,” the statement said. “We will be following up with our team members to be sure that our policy of inclusion is understood and adhered to. Further, we will be following through with disciplinary action up to and including termination of the employees involved, as appropriate.