A small bakery in San Francisco, California is refusing to serve police officers in uniform, according to a post by the city police union.
Reem’s California, a local Arabic bakery chain in the state, is being condemned by the Police Officers’ Association this week after it implemented a policy banning officers in uniform.
“NO COPS ALLOWED. That’s the confirmed policy of the bakery chain Reem’s,” said the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association via X. “One of our officers was denied service last weekend because he was in uniform. Reem’s confirms that they will not serve anyone armed and in uniform. Presumably, this includes members of the US Military.”
After an officer was refused service at the location, the police union reached out for clarification on the bakery’s policy. The business responded with an email explaining that the bakery will not serve officers while they are in uniform and carrying a firearm.
“At Reem’s we do have a policy to not serve anyone that is armed in a uniform. All officers are welcome to come to our establishment when they are off duty and not armed,” the email read.
Following media backlash, the bakery founder defended the store’s policy on social media. Reem Assil stated that the decision to prohibit serving anyone in uniform was to create “an environment of safety for our staff and customers.” The business also posted on Instagram that the ban on on-duty law enforcement was part of the bakery’s “deep commitment to uplifting social and racial justice in our communities.”
In a follow-up post on X, the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association stated that it is not asking the bakery to change its stance. Instead, the union wanted to bring public attention to the “bigoted policy” and ask the business to “put up a sign so we know not to spend money in your establishment—on or off duty.”
