MVPD Hosting Coffee with a Cop

Moreno Valley Police Department officers are hosting a Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to provide a unique opportunity for community members to meet with police officers in an informal setting. The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Farmer Boys, located at 12240 Pigeon Pass Road in Moreno Valley. Coffee with a Cop events are designed to build relationships between officers and citizens to facilitate needed discussions about community issues and provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the Department's work in Moreno Valley's neighborhoods. "We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers," said Police Chief Joel Ontiveros. "These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships." The majority of contacts that law enforcement officers have 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. Future 2014 Coffee with a Cop events are scheduled for: Oct. 15 at Carl's Jr. located at 27670 Eucalyptus Ave. and Nov. 12 at Farmer Boys located at 15991 Perris Blvd. 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 county, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities 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.