by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The Clermont Police Department (CPD) held its monthly Coffee with a Cop community relations event on Wednesday, May 21st at Dutch Bros Coffee, 3064 South US-27, Clermont.
Coffee with a Cop is a program designed to enhance the community member relationship with law enforcement officers and the citizens of the communities that they serve. Businesses throughout the area often host the Coffee with a Cop program to exhibit not only support of the community but also support of the local first responders in the community. It also provides a neutral location for real conversations about issues that matter.
Members from the police department in attendance included recently appointed Interim Deputy Police Chief Mike McMaster. Interim Deputy Chief McMaster was promoted in the Clermont City Manager’s Office on Monday, May 19th with his family and co-workers present. McMaster is a thirty-one-year veteran of law enforcement with his twenty-four years of service at the Clermont Police Department beginning in 2001. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. McMaster is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 57th Command Officers Development course and the 134thAdministrative Officers course. He is also a member of the Florida Police Chief’s Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Southern Police Institutes Alumni Association.
Upcoming events with the police department include participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click it or Ticket” seatbelt safety campaign. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement during the May 19th through June 1st campaign that coincides this year with the Memorial Day holiday.
The department maintains its hiring campaign for seven vacancies that are currently open for the position of sworn police officer. Starting pay ranges between $63,500.00 – $66,040.00 with a $5,000.00 sign-on bonus for Florida certified law enforcement officers with an additional $1,000.00 for each year of experience up to 5 years ($10,000.00 maximum sign on bonus). Visit www.JoinCPDFL.comor contact a recruiter at PoliceRecruiting@ClermontFl.org for more information.
Clermont Police Department staff have announced that there will be no summer basketball camp this year. However, the department is planning to introduce more “pop-up” type events that will allow them to visit more community locations on a more frequent basis. The department will be visiting local parks and other places of public gathering during the summer months to hand out cold bottles of water and mingle with the citizenry. Announcements will be made in advance of another community interaction plan affectionately known as “Sweet Tea with Chief G”. A program named after Interim Police Chief John Graczyk, with the intent of interacting with those enjoying the outdoor summer months while enjoying a free glass of iced tea with the chief of police.
Members of the departments specialized units will be visiting Thrive of Clermont’s Summer Pop Up event on June 3rd, from 5:30-pm at the Clermont City Center, 620 West Montrose Street. Displays and presentations will include SWAT Team demonstrations; Crime Scene Investigation exhibits and recruitment opportunities. Thrive of Clermont is a non-profit organization that gathers resources and provides opportunities for teens through life-skills and enrichment programs. Visit www.ThriveClermont.org for more information concerning enrollment availabilities.
A Sip, Chill & Chat with Clermont Police is planned for June 4th, from 12 pm-2 pm, at Teamont Boba, 756 West Montrose Street, Clermont. All drinks are 15% off during the “cool vibes with cool cops” interaction. The CPD wants to help kids, and grown kids too, kick-off the summer with some cold refreshments and a chance to chat with your favorite police officer.
Visit www.ClermontFL.gov/262/Police-Department for further departmental information and a full listing of the department services.
