Dozens turn out for Cocoa with a Cop

By Andy Koen, KOAA
Original article HERE

The monthly Coffee with a Cop program in Colorado Springs took on a holiday theme this weekend. The police officers and sheriff’s deputies hosted “Cocoa with a Cop” at the Kneaders Bakery in the First and Main Town Center along Powers and Carefree.

Several of families came out to talks with the cops and get a tour of the sheriff’s office mobile command vehicle.

The kiddos also got to meet and Santa Claus and get a candy cane. A few canine companions from the HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response Dogs also got into the Christmas spirit and put on festive costumes for the event.

Deputy Carlos Gutierrez said that in his mind, the big turn out is an indication of how much the community likes this program.

“I think that in Colorado Springs and in El Paso County, the community really likes their law enforcement officers and we really like our community. So, that’s why we take care of them.”

Coffee with a Cop started nearly two years ago amid a national crisis in police-community relations. The goal is to build safer communities through strong relationships between citizens and law enforcement officers.