IRVINE, CA (October 29, 2009):  On Wednesday November 4, 2009 members of the Irvine Police Department will "serve" the community in a new way.  Officers will trade in their handcuffs and ticket books for menus, aprons and serving trays in the "Tip-A-Cop" event.  This event will occur from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Irvine Chili's restaurant, located at 3745 Alton Pkwy (Culver and Alton).

Uniformed Irvine Police employees, on their own time, will team up with Special Olympic Athletes and assist Chili's employees in serving the public.  The goal is to earn donations in the form of tips that will benefit local Special Olympics programs.  Additionally, the Irvine Police Department will be showcasing specialty police vehicles and police K-9 teams in the parking lot of the restaurant. 

Please join us to learn more about the Irvine Police Department and to support this important community event.  The relationship between the Irvine Police Department, Chili's restaurants and Special Olympics is a wonderful example of how corporations can help their communities.  Through the support of communities across the nation, local Special Olympic Athletes will continue to benefit from quality programs and athletic opportunities.  Funds raised during this event will be used to support local athletes in Special Olympics events. 

For more information on Special Olympics, media representatives may call Rebecca Berlingeri at (714) 564-8474 or visit http://www.sosc.org .  For information on this event in Irvine, community members may call Sergeant Scherer at (949) 724-7015, ext 4141.