Cedar Rapids Police Department to host Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, April 18 at Johnson Avenue Hy-Vee

On Tuesday, April 18th, officers from the Cedar Rapids Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. 

All community members are invited to attend. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on April 18th at Hy-Vee, 1843 Johnson Avenue NW. This Coffee with a Cop is being sponsored by Hy-Vee and the Cleveland Neighborhood Association. Cleveland Neighborhood Association has partnered with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for many years and continues to build a strong relationship with both the department and the community. 

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Cedar Rapids neighborhoods.  It is also an opportunity to learn more about upcoming events and programs sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. 

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. 

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 being held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities that they serve. 

The 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.