SAN FRANCISCO—“Coffee With A Cop” is a non-profit organization that started in 2011 after the Hawthorne Police Department looked for a community-building strategy. The event is now held in 50 states and is also in Canada, Latin America, and Europe.
The San Francisco Police Department has participated in the nationwide “Coffee With A Cop” event since 2015. The purpose of the event is to promote a healthy conversation between the community and local officers on any subject. Residents are encouraged to interact with officers from local districts with questions from safety to block parties. Police departments around the state work to create safe, mutual space for residents and local business owners to speak directly to officers.
The SFPD participates by setting up meet and greets in local coffee shops according to their district so members of the community can direct questions to the officers in their neighborhood. The opportunity for the police department is to better understand the needs of the citizens in the community.
The website for the “Coffee With A Cop” states:
“The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve.”
