Officer Bob

A Chicago police officer was suspended for 15 months and ordered to undergo counseling for demanding free coffee and pastries from six Starbucks Coffee houses over five years.

The Police Board of Chicago decided in May to suspend Officer Barbara Nevers, a 14-year veteran, after finding her guilty of using her job as a police officer to intimidate the employees of the coffeehouses to give her free coffee by flashing her badge, handcuffs or gun when they asked for payment.

“I don’t pay for coffee, I am an officer, I get coffee for free,” Nevers, 55, allegedly told employees who asked for payment.

The city’s attorneys also alleged that she stole juice from a Starbucks in July 2004. She was acquitted of the theft charge in Cook County Criminal Court in 2005.

Nevers’ attorney said she never used her job to demand coffee but insisted that some coffeehouses gave it to her for free because she was an officer.

Several employees testified before the board that they did indeed offer free coffee to police officers but said Nevers would get annoyed if they asked her to pay. They also said they did not give out free pastries.

“She was vehement about getting the free pastries,” one store manager testified, describing how Nevers came behind the counter angrily. After the incident, the manager told her she was banned from the store.

Nevers testified that she never demanded free coffee but took it if offered. She also denied showing her gun to employees.

“I don’t demand anything,” she said.