Got this email in reply to my letter to Smithfield:
Thank you for your patience while we’ve conducted an internal investigation and worked with the Raleigh Police Department to have a better understanding of Friday night’s encounter. This past Wednesday during a press conference we shared the following information and believe you should have it too. Below and attached you’ll find a news release from us and a statement from the Raleigh Police Department. Ultimately, our community was a victim of misinformation, misunderstanding and social media gone awry.
We are dedicated to our customers, our men and women in uniform and our entire community.
We know you have a choice where to dine and we hope we’ll see you again soon!
David Harris
Franchisee/Owner of Jones Sausage Rd Location
NEWS RELEASE
Investigation Complete
Raleigh Police Department and Franchisee in Agreement
May 3, 2017 (Garner, NC) – After a thorough internal investigation of the matter, Mark O’Mara, attorney for David Harris, franchisee of Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q on Jones Sausage Road today announced the results of the findings. The matter has been resolved.
“After collaboration with the Raleigh Police Department, numerous internal interviews, and a review of store video, we have an understanding of what truly transpired in the restaurant on Fridaynight.
“There was no singing. Multiple employees were not involved. Ultimately, this was, at most, a subtle misunderstanding between one former employee and two police officers. What has been reported and spread through social media is false,” remarked O’Mara.
Based on results of the investigation, the employee involved is no longer with the company.
Franchisees David Harris and Willie McKennies (Mr. Mac) said, “For the past 17 years, we’ve had police officers in our restaurant day in and day out. And we appreciate their patronage. They deserve the utmost respect, just like all of our customers, and we are committed to ensuring that happens at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q. Now that we have resolution, I look forward to seeing men and women in blue eating with us again.”
###
STATEMENT
Raleigh Police Department Public Information
Officials from the Raleigh Police Department and Smithfield’s Chicken ’n Bar-B-Q met yesterday. The following is a statement from Chief Deck-Brown concerning that meeting:
“From the beginning, when I first learned about this situation, I committed that our team would work together fully with the owner of this restaurant, to better understand the matter and to find a way forward. I’m happy to report that we have collaborated in a very positive way, and together we have established that there has been a lot of misinformation spread about this incident. And, today, I’m glad to have the opportunity to update the public on what we’ve learned.
Despite media reports, two officers witnessed one employee make eye contact with them and mouth the words “F…the Police.” There was no singing. There were no other employees involved. Because of the subtle nature of this act, it was not witnessed by anyone else in the store.
Ultimately, the Raleigh Police Department, Smithfield’s Chicken ’n Bar-B-Q and our whole community were victims of misinformation and misunderstanding causing the original reporting of the story to be wrong.
The Raleigh Police Department seeks to serve all members and all elements of the community in fairness and without bias. We expect the same in return and are confident that Smithfield’s Chicken ’n Bar-B-Q share those same values. The first step in creating understanding between two parties is to come together to communicate. I’m proud to say, we’ve done exactly that.
We need to grow collectively in both organizations beyond this and the Raleigh Police Department remains committed to doing just that.”
