Overview
Coffee with a Cop began in 2011 in California with the simple idea of putting citizens and police officers together in a coffee shop and letting them talk over a cup of coffee. Officers made themselves available to answer questions, listen to concerns and to get to know the citizens they serve. Unfortunately many interactions the public have with the police occur in stressful or emergency situations. By placing the interaction in a neutral environment, Coffee with a Cop gives both police officers and citizens a chance to interact in a less formal way. The simple yet powerful idea has since spread to over 175 cities nationwide.
In 2013 the Department hosted its first two Coffee with a Cop events with many citizens reporting that they appreciated the opportunity to get to meet officers and share concerns that they might not have otherwise reported.
The Department will continue to partner with coffee shops in the city to put on more Coffee with a Cop events.