SHOWCASE : COOKING WITH COPS
Never completely satisfied with the status quo , the Arlington Police Department constantly challenges itself to find different and innovative ways to connect with community members . That spirit of ingenuity has led to some incredible successes , including the department ’ s “ Cooking with Cops ” initiative .
Originally intended to be a single event to help reconnect the public with their beat officers following the pandemic , Cooking with Cops has become a mainstay that ’ s taken off in ways the department could never have imagined .
The premise is simple . APD organizes a community cookout and provides the supplies . APD employees do all the cooking and serving . Community members show up to enjoy a free meal and to hang out with officers . Yet , the impact is profound .
Cooking with Cops events now take place in all four patrol districts . Each event has brought out hundreds of community members to engage with their police department in a relaxed , fun environment . They ’ ve provided APD units like SWAT , Aviation , Personnel & Recruiting , and Crime Prevention with new avenues to interact with residents and visitors . Other agencies and organizations have asked to partner with APD and participate in them .
In 2023 , the department found ways to expand the scope of the program . One Cooking with Cops event , for example , was held at an apartment complex that historically serves lower income families . Not only did that give residents easier access to the fun , but it gave the department the opportunity to have the event double as a school supply giveaway where they could also provide families with free school supplies when they came to get the food .
Planning is already underway for the 2024 slate – and the department looks forward to Cooking with Cops best year yet !
20 | 2023 Annual Report