Few people think much about what they wear. Unfortunately for Vincent Champion, he and other police officers alike may have to give a second thought to this. Vincent and his girlfriend decided to spend the day at Universal Studios in Orlando. The two were denied admission at the door. "She said you can't come in here wearing a shirt that says 'police' on it," he told reporters. Champion is a retired Ormond Police officer and was wearing a shirt said this, reading "Retired Police Officer" around a small printed badge. On the back it said "My time in uniform is over, but my watch never ends." A person in line offered him a shirt and he accepted. Even after changing they wouldn't let him in, saying he had to return his t-shirt to his car before they would let him in. Finally after taking his t-shirt back they let him enter. Since the event Orlando Studios has apologized and stated that they wouldn't let him wear the shirt in order to prevent confusion in case of an emergency and that it was merely a safety precaution. "For safety reasons we want our guests and team members to easily identify active, working law enforcement," they said. Click HERE to read more
1.) Do you believe that Orlando Studios was in the wrong?
Definitely. I understand not wanting the confusion, but his shirt very obviously stated that he was retired and not on duty. Additionally, I felt the worker preventing him from entering was just being petty when they said he had to take his shirt to his car.
2.) How could Orlando Studios handle this situation better and prevent this sort of thing in the future?
I believe they should make an official rule against this sort of thing and make sure it's enforced. Their rules -including this one- should be displayed somewhere just outside the entrance, this way people know ahead of time if they're breaking this rule.
3.) How would you react if you were Vincent and Orlando wouldn't let you enter?
Personally I would be extremely frustrated if this happened to me. I understand why they would do this sort of thing although I disagree with it. If the worker was being calm and patient I might change and go in but more than likely I would just leave.
Replies
Great job Emma!!
I understand that they didn't want confusion about who the law enforcement was within the park to keep the park as safe as possible. However, I do think it was kind of a stretch to make him put his shirt back in his vehicle. I think Orlando Studios should make it very clear to visitors what clothing is allowed before they come to the park. I have actually been to Orlando Studios and they did make everyone have an appropriate shirt on at the entrance. I would likely do whatever they told me so I could continue without a fight and go about my day.
I think Orlando Studios was in the wrong because his shirt said he was retired. I think that they handled the situation very bad. They should have just let him in, in my opinion. If I was that guy and they wouldn't ket me go into that I would be so mad and probably never go again.
I think they were in the wrong, an active police officer probably would be in uniform and not a t-shirt, so I don't think he would have caused any confusion. In the future, I think they should let people like him in unless it is very unclear whether he is on duty or not. If I were him, I would have left after the first time he wasn't allowed in.
That is a very valid point Nolan, a police officer working at the park should be in full uniform. I think that from here on out they should change their rule and let people wear t-shirts saying retired officer.
I think that Orlando Studios was in the wrong for making that an change his shirt. If it said retired, it means he's no longer a cop. If they want this too not be an issue, they shouldn't just deny anyone with that kind of clothing on the right o enter. He is just trying to express himself in what his career was. I would've been highly offended tohave to change my shirt to enter a theme park. I disagree with how Orlando Studios reacted to the shirt. I would probably just leave if it came being asked to change.
I agree, if this happened to me I would probably just leave. It's unfortunate that this happened. If it were me this probably would have ruined my experience at Universal Studios.
I disagree. Though it said retired and such on the shirt, I can see how they would ask him to change due to if there were an emergency so there was no confusion. I do think it was a little un necassary to make him bring the shirt to the car before going in. He could have put it in his bag and been fine. I agree and think to prevent this from happening they should make a rule about it. If I were him I would be irritated but would've changed and understood. On the other hand bringing it to the car befre letting me in would have made me a little more upset.
In the case of confusion all a person has to do is read the word "retired." And if they're too incompitent then he can simply say he's not a police officer. In the case of an emergency it will cost them 7 seconds of their life to figure it out. In the long run, even if they do mistake him for an officer it won't be a big deal.
Although I believe that Orlando Studios obviously had the right to tell him to turn back, I agree that they were in the wrong. The idea they would not only make him change his shirt but put it away as well isn't so much ludicrous but instead, it just makes me wonder why. I was already on the edge of wondering whether he should have been asked to take it off since I imagine their security guards wear uniforms and not t-shirts. But them making him put it away is just a waste of his time and poor customer relations. Nobody is going to look at a shirt in someone's hand when they look for help.
As for the future, I'm not quite sure they can do anything about it. This is because any rule or precaution they put into place would be extremely subjective as to whether it would cause confusion. But I do agree that there should be some sort of notice.
How I would have reacted depends on the circumstances. The fact that I would have had to drive 21 hours to get there only to be turned away would have left me feeling irritated, but I would be much more so if I didn't have an extra shirt. With that said, I definitely wouldn't have gotten angry at the worker. They don't make the rules, and I'm sure they have a hard enough time without someone getting mad.
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