A Chicago police sergeant claims she received “hair and dirt” on a double cheeseburger she ordered for lunch from a West Town fast food restaurant early Monday.
The 41-year-old sergeant was on-duty, in uniform, and driving a marked car when she ordered food from the drive-thru at Wendy’s 1623 West Division, around 1:31 a.m., according to a CPD report.
She began to eat her lunch, only to discover “hair and dirt in her food,” a police spokesperson confirmed, without identifying the restaurant by name.
The sergeant “entered the restaurant and spoke to an on-scene witness who was dismissive of the victim’s concerns,” according to the police spokesperson. She activated her bodyworn camera for the interaction, the CPD report said.
In an internal email, a lieutenant told officers that the store’s manager “gave [the sergeant] attitude” and “would not take her complaint seriously. All the manager would do is offer her a refund.”
The sergeant, a 14-year veteran of the force assigned to the Shakespeare (14th) District, “became ill and began to throw up several times. She has refused medical attention at this time but will seek it on her own if she does not improve,” the lieutenant wrote. CPD’s spokesperson confirmed that the sergeant declined medical attention.
Area Three detectives are investigating the allegations.
“Everyone might want to let their officers know to eat there at your own risk,” the lieutenant advised.
In an emailed statement Tuesday morning, a Wendy’s spokesperson said, “The quality and integrity of our food is our number one priority and we take any food-related claims extremely seriously. We have been in touch with representatives from the Chicago Police Department and will fully investigate this matter. We have great respect for law enforcement and their service to our communities.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 12:15 p.m. on March 22 with Wendy’s statement.
