Starbucks Fires Employee Over Offensive Drawing on Deputy’s Cup
A recent incident involving a Starbucks employee has drawn attention after a sheriff raised concerns about an offensive drawing served to a deputy. The controversy unfolded on January 9 when a deputy, stationed on a long shift, stopped at a Starbucks in Norwalk, California, for coffee. Upon receiving his order, he noticed a hand-drawn pig on the disposable cup.
Starbucks Fires Employee Over Offensive Drawing
The deputy took to Instagram to express his disappointment, stating that the drawing felt discouraging and disrespectful. He wrote, “All I wanted was caffeine, but instead I left feeling uneasy.” This sentiment sparked an immediate response from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office.
Investigation and Employee Dismissal
Starbucks promptly conducted an investigation into the incident. Although findings indicated the drawing was not meant to offend, the company decided to terminate the employee responsible for the cup’s design. Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson explained that the illustration was based on a popular meme character named John Pork and was created hours prior to the deputy’s visit.
- Date of Incident: January 9
- Location: Starbucks in Norwalk, California
- Involved Party: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy
- Employee Status: Fired after investigation
Response from Law Enforcement
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna took action by contacting Starbucks’ corporate security to voice concerns and ensure accountability. The sheriff also reached out directly to the deputy to check on his well-being. In a statement, the Sheriff’s Department referred to the pig imagery as commonly used to demean law enforcement, labeling the drawing as “offensive, inappropriate and unacceptable.”
Public Reaction
Following the incident, mixed reactions surfaced on social media. Some supported the sheriff’s department, while others joked about the deputy’s response. Comments ranged from genuine concern for law enforcement to skepticism about the effectiveness of internal investigations in addressing such issues.
This incident underscores ongoing dialogues about respect and treatment of law enforcement officials, as well as the broader implications of workplace conduct in public establishments.
