Restaurant responds after claims of officers being denied service at Las Vegas restaurant
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The restaurant at the center of controversy following several social media posts claiming that two graveyard patrol officers were denied service responded to those claims.
According to a viral social media post, two Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers were denied service at the Lodge at Cactus.
The post, which first circulated through a Facebook group called "LVMPO Wives," claimed a bartender had shaken his head "no," before stating that they could not serve the two "anymore."
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Officer Aden Ocampo-Gomez confirmed to News 3 the incident did occur and only commented that "the restaurant has the right to refuse service to anyone."
In a telephone interview, the manager on-duty told News 3 that law enforcement is well-respected and that the restaurant offers special discounts to all law enforcement including free coffee.
Management at Lodge Cactus said the issue would be "rectified" by the end of the day on Friday and said multiple managers were investigating the claims.
The employee involved has since been fired, according to a statement by LVMPD released late Friday.
Las Vegas' Police Protective Association issued a statement surrounding the claims:
Today, an email was sent out regarding two officers who were refused service at The Lodge. Of course, this sparked outrage with us at the LVPPA and within the law enforcement community.
After the email went out to our membership, the owner of the corporation reached out to us regarding this issue. They informed us that the bartender in question is on indefinite suspension facing potential termination. The Lodge has the highest respect for the men and women of LVMPD and love nothing more than to have them in their establishments, whether on duty or off. They explained that one man’s actions are not indicative of the feelings of The Lodge Corporation and they hope that officers will still come to the establishments.
It was a great conversation, and clearly the issue has been addressed and handled by ownership. I want to thank all the officers who reached out to the LVPPA regarding this incident.
Corporate would love to see officers and their guests come to the establishments this weekend.
A member of the restaurant's management told News 3 the owner was out of town and unable to comment on the incident.
