Temecula, Ca – On Wednesday, May 17, 2017, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, the Temecula Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop.  The event will be held at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, located at 31938 Temecula Parkway, in the city of Temecula.  Officers from the Temecula Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.  All members of the community are invited to attend.

There is no agenda or formal speeches, just casual conversations about your community, with those who serve.  Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the police department’s work in Temecula’s neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations.  Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street.  Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers.  These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are held across the county, state and country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

This program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Anyone with questions should contact Sergeant Chris Gaskins at the Temecula Police Department at (951)-696-3128.