Coffee and Conversation
As a way for the public to get to know local law enforcement better and ask questions in a casual atmosphere, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office holds “Coffee with a Cop” events periodically at coffee shops throughout Santa Barbara County. The gatherings are a great way for citizens to grab a cup of coffee and chat with one of several Sheriff’s deputies that serve their community. There is no agenda, no guest speaker and no power point presentation, just coffee and conversation.







Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative that aims to advance the practice of community policing by opening communication and fostering a greater understanding between citizens and police. The idea is to provide residents with an informal setting to meet deputies that work in their neighborhoods and talk about their concerns. The goal is break down barriers, build lasting relationships and familiarize the public with people who are there to protect and serve them.
The Coffee with a Cop program was started in 2011 by the Hawthorne Police Department. Since then, more than 2,000 law enforcement agencies have participated in the community outreach program. The Sheriff’s Office has been holding “Coffee with a Cop” events at various locations in the county since 2013.
To find out when and where we are holding our next “Coffee with a Cop” event and for other Sheriff’s Office events, please sign up to receive our Nixle alerts and follow us on our social media platforms. We will also post upcoming Coffee with a Cop events right here on our website.
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Detectives Investigating Stabbing in Isla Vista – Witnesses Encouraged to Come Forward. Read more here:
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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to join deputies for Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kozy Coffee, 6560 Pardall Road in Isla Vista. https://www.sbsheriff.org/coffee-with-a-cop-in-isla-vista/
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Last Friday, Undersheriff Bonner and Chief Custody Deputy combined their culinary talents and cooked their way to glory tonight at the Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff, held at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Their delicious concoction, combining Chief Vinny Wasilewski’s Wagu beef chili with Undersheriff Craig Bonner’s perfectly smoked beef brisket, took First Place AND they also won the award for the Best Chili Name - “Last Stand Chili,” in honor of their pending retirements.
Kudos to our dynamic duo! 🏆
Last Friday, Undersheriff Bonner and Chief Custody Deputy combined their culinary talents and cooked their way to glory tonight at the Navy League’s 7th Annual Chili Cookoff, held at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum. Their delicious concoction, combining Chief Vinny Wasilewski’s Wagu beef chili with Undersheriff Craig Bonner’s perfectly smoked beef brisket, took First Place AND they also won the award for the Best Chili Name - “Last Stand Chili,” in honor of their pending retirements.
Kudos to our dynamic duo! 🏆
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☕💬 Thanks to everyone who joined us for Coffee with a Cop at McDonald’s this morning! We loved the chance to share a cup of coffee, good conversation, and community connection. 💛👮♂️
#CoffeeWithACop #SBSheriff #SantaBarbaraCounty
☕💬 Thanks to everyone who joined us for Coffee with a Cop at McDonald’s this morning! We loved the chance to share a cup of coffee, good conversation, and community connection. 💛👮♂️
#CoffeeWithACop #SBSheriff #SantaBarbaraCounty
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💙🤝 Join us for Faith & Blue this October! These gatherings bring neighbors and deputies together for conversation, connection, and community.
📍 South County
Santa Barbara Community Church
1002 Cieneguitas Rd, Santa Barbara
📅 Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
📍 North County
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
4725 S. Bradley Rd, Orcutt
📅 Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
☕ Free coffee & light refreshments provided.
All are welcome—come build trust, break down barriers, and strengthen community together!
#FaithAndBlue #CommunityStrong #SBSheriff
💙🤝 Join us for Faith & Blue this October! These gatherings bring neighbors and deputies together for conversation, connection, and community.
📍 South County
Santa Barbara Community Church
1002 Cieneguitas Rd, Santa Barbara
📅 Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
📍 North County
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
4725 S. Bradley Rd, Orcutt
📅 Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 | 🕘 9–11 AM
☕ Free coffee & light refreshments provided.
All are welcome—come build trust, break down barriers, and strengthen community together!
#FaithAndBlue #CommunityStrong #SBSheriff
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🚓 Week 1 of the Community Academy is off to a strong start! Participants dove into the History of the Sheriff’s Office and got an overview from Sheriff Bill Brown himself. ✅ The evening wrapped up with a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the Northern Branch Jail—an eye-opening experience into daily operations.
Stay tuned for more highlights from the coming weeks! #SBSheriff #CommunityAcademy #BehindTheBadge
🚓 Week 1 of the Community Academy is off to a strong start! Participants dove into the History of the Sheriff’s Office and got an overview from Sheriff Bill Brown himself. ✅ The evening wrapped up with a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the Northern Branch Jail—an eye-opening experience into daily operations.
Stay tuned for more highlights from the coming weeks! #SBSheriff #CommunityAcademy #BehindTheBadge
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🔬✨ Happy National Forensic Science Week! ✨🔬
This week, our talented Forensics Team was out in the community inspiring the next generation of scientists and investigators. 🧪👩🔬👨🔬 They visited three local schools to share what it’s like to turn curiosity into a career and how their work helps keep Santa Barbara County safe.
💡 From fingerprints to DNA, our forensic experts show students that science can solve mysteries and change lives.
#NationalForensicScienceWeek #Forensics #SBSheriff #Community
🔬✨ Happy National Forensic Science Week! ✨🔬
This week, our talented Forensics Team was out in the community inspiring the next generation of scientists and investigators. 🧪👩🔬👨🔬 They visited three local schools to share what it’s like to turn curiosity into a career and how their work helps keep Santa Barbara County safe.
💡 From fingerprints to DNA, our forensic experts show students that science can solve mysteries and change lives.
#NationalForensicScienceWeek #Forensics #SBSheriff #Community
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👮♂️☕ Join us for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, October 7 from 8–10 a.m. at McDonald’s, 146 S. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.
Enjoy free McCafé coffee thanks to McDonald’s while you chat with our deputies in a casual setting. No agenda—just good coffee and conversation.
We hope to see you there!
#CoffeeWithACop #Goleta #Community
👮♂️☕ Join us for Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, October 7 from 8–10 a.m. at McDonald’s, 146 S. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.
Enjoy free McCafé coffee thanks to McDonald’s while you chat with our deputies in a casual setting. No agenda—just good coffee and conversation.
We hope to see you there!
#CoffeeWithACop #Goleta #Community
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**Update - this class is full! There will be future classes that we will share here ** 🚨 Go behind the scenes of law enforcement!
📅 Community Academy begins Oct. 2
⚠️ Space is limited – apply by Sept. 19!
👉 sbsheriff.org
**Update - this class is full! There will be future classes that we will share here ** 🚨 Go behind the scenes of law enforcement!
📅 Community Academy begins Oct. 2
⚠️ Space is limited – apply by Sept. 19!
👉 sbsheriff.org
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If you see suspicious content online, send it to law enforcement — not your feed.
Keep our schools safe. 📚👮♀️
#SeeSomethingSaySomething #BackToSchool
🚫 Don’t repost. ✅ Report it.
If you see suspicious content online, send it to law enforcement — not your feed.
Keep our schools safe. 📚👮♀️
#SeeSomethingSaySomething #BackToSchool
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