Police officer says he was denied service at Olive Garden

Independence, MO — A Kansas City police officer says he was denied service at an Independence restaurant because he had a gun.

Officer Michael Holsworth posted on Facebook saying he was on duty and was meeting his family for a birthday lunch at the restaurant near Noland Road and U.S. Highway 40 on Saturday.

While he was waiting, Holsworth said an employee told him they don't allow guns in the restaurant.

Holsworth said he was in full uniform and told the worker he was on duty, which required him to have a gun. When he said that he could leave, the employee allegedly said, "Yes, please leave."

Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte tweeted that he is "looking into what happened."

Holsworth issued a statement through the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99. In it he says, "It is my hope that Olive Garden handles this situation appropriately so no other officer has the same experience I had today."

Not long after issuing that statement, the president of Olive Garden reached out directly to officer Holsworth to apologize.

Earlier, a representative of the company told KCTV5 News that they are looking into what happened and that all members of law enforcement are welcomed at any of their locations.