Coffee with A Cop was launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011 as a result of a brainstorming session. Members of the Hawthorne Police Department were looking for ways to interact more successfully with the citizens they served each day.

Community policing has long been considered a framework for establishing trust between the community and the police. However, over time the character and composition of our nation’s communities have changed due to shifting demographics, more commuters and the introduction of different communication methods such as websites and social media.

The Hawthorne Police Department hit upon a simple plan to break through the barriers that have been built over the years – a cup of coffee. Check HERE for a more in-depth article.

In less than five years, Coffee with a Cop events have been hosted in more than 3000 communities in all 50 states and is one of the most successful community oriented policing programs across the country. The program has also expanded to outside the Unites States to Canada, Europe, Australia and Africa. The key to Coffee with a Cop’s growing success is that it opens the door for interactions outside of the crisis situations that typically bring law enforcement officers and community members together.

Coffee with A Cop is very different from the standard police-community meetings. Community meetings are held during a specific timeframe and have a specific agenda. The community generally has to show up at the start of the meeting to avoid being "lost," not knowing what has previously been discussed. If people have a problem, they are often reluctant to raise it in front of an audience. In fact, generally it is the same people who attend community meetings over and over again. It is rare to see a new face in the audience.

Coffee with a Cop works very different. These events are held at local coffee shops, and people are welcome to stop in at any time during the event, sit down with a police officer and speak to him or her one on one.

Maybe you have a problem you want addressed, maybe you want to know what it is like to be a police officer, or maybe you just want to get to know your local police. Whateve your reason, you are welcome to attend a local Coffee with a Cop event. You never need a reservation. There is never a specific agenda. Coffee with a Cop is your chance to get to know your local police on your terms. Consider stopping by the 7th District's next Coffee with a Cop event.