SPD hosts Coffee With a Cop at Healthy Balance Meals to meet with community

Posted 03-28-24.

On Friday, April 12, officers from the Sevierville Police Department and community members will come together in an informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

All residents are invited to attend. From 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., officers will be at Healthy Balance Meals, 313 Court Avenue. Please contact SPD Sergeant Caleb Brien with questions: 865-868-1913, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Sevierville’s neighborhoods. And the coffee will be free of charge!

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 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.