Taco Bell employee allegedly refused service to police officers

An investigation is underway after an employee at a Louisville, Kentucky-area Taco Bell restaurant allegedly refused service to several police officers.

According to the president of the Louisville Metro Police's union, the River City Fraternal Order of Police, five officers were refused service at the fast food restaurant.

FOP president Dave Mutchler told WAVE:

"FOP members who are active LMPD officers were on break from working at the state fair... They went to the Taco Bell at Preston/Phillips Lane. The employee at the register refused to take their order. They waited patiently and eventually another employee came to take their order. However, in the meantime an officer heard an employee behind the counter tell another employee 'I want to mess with them. I'm going to mess with them.' At that point the officers decided it was not in their best interest to eat at that establishment and they left."

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Mashable has reached out to the Louisville Police Department for a separate comment.

As for Taco Bell, they've issued a statement on behalf of the parent company, Yum! Brands, and the franchise owner of the specific location, saying both "in no way endorse this sentiment."

"We are deeply appreciative of the men and women who taken the oath to serve and protect our communities," the statement adds.

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Yum!, the parent company of Taco Bell and other restaurants like KFC, is based out of Louisville and recently offered retirement buyouts in an attempt to downsize.