Coffee With a Cop Takes on New Meaning

Coffee with a Cop events are intended to provide a casual social environment where citizens and police officers can get to know each other. In the aftermath of the shooting of 11 law enforcement officers in Dallas last night, tomorrow's event in Apopka takes on greater significance and purpose.

Apopkans can not only come and get to know Apopka Police Officers, but we can also show the community's support for those who protect us every day.

Apopka's next Coffee With a Cop event will be TODAY at the Main Street McDonald’s in Apopka from 8:30 - 10:00 AM. Chief Michael McKinley, the Apopka Police Department and McDonald's will again be the hosts.

Chief McKinley made this statement in reference to the Dallas shootings:

"We are all saddened by the horrific events that occurred in Dallas. The men and women of the Apopka Police Department appreciate the tremendous support we receive from our community. The Apopka Police Department is holding the next “Coffee with a Cop” tomorrow morning from 8:30 – 10:00 at the McDonald’s on Main Street. In response to the community’s desire to hold a moment of remembrance and prayer for the victims of the Dallas Police Department, as well as recognize the members of the Apopka Police Department, at 9:00 a.m. we will take a moment to pray. I encourage everyone to stop by and meet members of the Apopka Police Department and join us in this moment of fellowship."

McDonald's and the Apopka Police Department have held two previous Coffee With a Cop events this year. One in January and the second in April. McKinley considered both events successes.

"I am extremely pleased with the community's turnout for the Coffee with a Cop events," he said. "These are great opportunities for the public to meet Apopka Police officers in a social and casual environment. I have received a lot of positive feedback from not only the public, but members of the department."

Coffee With a Cop is a nationwide initiative by police departments to get to know the public in a more neutral and less adversarial setting. In Apopka, that neutral non-adversarial setting is McDonald's. McKinley sees these events as a chance to listen to the community.

"We plan on continuing this event every couple of months and look forward to the community’s participation. We understand policing is not possible without input and involvement from the citizens. I want to take advantage of every opportunity for members of the public to build a positive relationship with members of the department. We can't do this job without them. We live in this community, too; the citizens’ concerns are our concerns.

I invite all members of the community to stop by to meet with us on Saturday to have a cup of coffee, talk about those issues affecting our community, and get to know us by first name."