‘Coffee cup’ cops slammed on Twitter

Footage showing a Victoria Police officer checking whether a person’s takeaway cup contained coffee while out in a park has caused confusion.

Victoria Police filmed checking if a person’s coffee cup was full while outdoors have been slammed on Twitter for “Nazi” and “North Korea” style tactics.

However, others have praised the police and criticised the coffee drinker for not wearing a mask outdoors while holding onto their drink.

A video posted on Twitter shows a citizen out in a Victorian park being stopped by an on-duty police officer who asks to check if the person’s coffee cup is empty.

“Do you just mind if I check is there's actually anything in it”” the male officer asks and takes the coffee cup with his gloved hand.

When the officer shakes the cup and finds it contains coffee, he hands it back to the citizen and waves him on.

The person replies, “Thank you. Jesus loves you all. God bless” and another officer gives him a thumbs up.

The tweet posted by @OzraeliAvi and retweeted by former Australian senator David Leyonhjelm has caused confusion.

Some Twitter users, who included those in foreign countries, seemed unaware that Victorian Government rules allow people to remove masks when “consuming food, non-alcoholic drink or medicine”.

One Twitter user asked “Why is police checking if cap is full or empty?” and another posted “Why does it matter if there’s coffee or not?”.

The Victorian officer took the coffee cup to check if it had any drink still inside which allowed the user not to wear a mask. Picture: Twitter/@OzraeliAvi

Meanwhile in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/zT2KurZ56h

— Avi Yemini 🇦🇺🇮🇱 (@OzraeliAvi) October 16, 2021

Another protested: “What motivates these people? They live in Australia!! Not North Korea? What kind of a world do they want to live in?”

While one Twitter poster questioned, “What is this Nazi Germany”, another said “Yeah tell them to piss off” and claimed “There’s no law or CHO direction that gives them the power to do that.”

Others joked online about the exchange, one saying, “As a tax payer I am relieved this dangerous situation had 5 police officers on hand. Protect & Serve (coffee)?”

Another said: “At least he changed his glove before touching the cup to prevent passing any germs or viruses that may have been on his glove...oh wait...” adding a thinking face emoji.

“Well at least there was coffee in the cup which means that we’re all safe.”

After shaking the cup, the policeman returned it and waved on the person. Picture: Twitter/@OzraeliAvi

As a tax payer I am relieved this dangerous situation had 5 police officers on hand. Protect & Serve (coffee)?

— dogmatique (@dogmatique1) October 16, 2021

If this had been me I would:
- Take the last gulp
- Hand the cup to the cop
- Pull up my mask
- Walk away

— Saff (@Saffroniqu3) October 16, 2021

So relieved he's got coffee in there, take that Covid! Thanks to the utmost courage and dedication of the cops faced with what could have been an empty cup!🤡🤡🤡

— Chris â“‹ (@AniLib4Ever) October 16, 2021

One Twitter poster claimed it was “all about control” for the Victorian police officers.

Another commented sarcastically, “So relieved he’s got coffee in there, take that Covid! “Thanks to the utmost courage and dedication of the cops faced with what could have been an empty cup!”

And one tweeted with a rolling eyes emoji: “Covid is only contagious when the cup is empty.

Lord help us, I pray for the return of common sense.”

The coffee drinker was not fined. Picture: Twitter/@OzraeliAvi

Another cop gave the thumbs up. Picture: Twitter/@OzraeliAvi

Imagine living in your neighborhood with police walking around checking your coffees to see if you are allowed outside.
Dystopian.

— jhouse678 (@jhouse678) October 16, 2021

Covid is only contagious when the cup is empty. 🙄
Lord help us, I pray for the return of common sense.

— Jenny (@BlessedTNGal) October 16, 2021

So in Australia drinking coffee gets rid of COVID. Good to know.

— Wesley Blackwell (@thorrfinn) October 16, 2021

Victoria Police Media declined to answer a question from news.com.au about what Victorian officers are permitted or directed to breach people on with regard to mask wearing.

A Victoria Police Media spokesman said: “We don’t make the rules. The rules are on the Department of Health website” and “I can’t comment on each incident. Each individual incident will be judged on its merits”.