Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together to discuss issues and learn more about each other. There is no agenda and no speeches--just coffee and conversation.

Background

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 out 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 the barriers that have been built over the years--a cup of coffee.

In less than 5 years, Coffee with a Cop events have been hosted 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 United 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.