Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Responds After Starbucks Barista Draws Pig on Deputy's Coffee Cup
Key Highlights
- A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was served a coffee with a hand-drawn pig, a symbol of hostility towards law enforcement.
- The incident was reported immediately, prompting an investigation by both the coffee shop and the Sheriff's Department.
- Starbucks confirmed the employee's conduct was inappropriate, separated the employee, and launched an internal review.
NORWALK, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident at a Norwalk coffee shop on Friday, Jan. 9, in which a deputy was deliberately served a cup bearing a hand-drawn image of a pig, a symbol commonly used to disparage law enforcement.
The deputy, who had stopped at the store for coffee, reported the incident immediately to the store manager, who said the matter would be investigated, according to a news release.
Upon notification, the Sheriff’s Office escalated the issue, contacting the coffee company’s corporate security division to formally raise concerns and ensure accountability.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department also spoke directly with the deputy to check on his well-being and reaffirm departmental support. “Disrespectful actions toward our personnel will not be tolerated,” the agency said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Starbucks confirmed the employee’s conduct was inappropriate and emphasized the drawing appeared to be a popular meme unrelated to law enforcement. Starbucks said the employee has been “separated” from the company, apologized to both the customer and the Sheriff’s Department, and launched an internal investigation.
The department emphasized that deputies serve the community with professionalism and dedication under challenging circumstances and deserve to be treated with respect and basic human dignity. Acts that promote hostility toward law enforcement undermine public trust and community safety.