Join a cop for a coffee

Across NSW, people are encouraged to drop in for a coffee with their local cops to help strengthen relationships and learn about the important work officers do to keep us safe.

Minister for Police Troy Grant said people usually only seek out police when they are a victim or a witness of crime and they are at their most vulnerable. This is not an optimal time to build relationships.

“The Coffee with a Cop initiative gives communities throughout NSW the chance to have a chat with local police in an informal and relaxed environment to discuss community safety issues that matter to them,” Mr Grant said.

“If you’ve ever had a burning question about police work in NSW, have a community issue you’d like to raise, or maybe you’d like to become an officer yourself and want to know more about the Force, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more.”

There are nearly 90 Coffee with a Cop events scheduled across 58 Police Area Commands and Districts.

Officers from different commands, including general duties, highway patrol, youth liaison officers, domestic violence and crime prevention, will be present and many of them speak a second or third language other than English.

Mr Grant said for police to be effective in keeping NSW safe they must have positive relationships with local communities. This initiative is one way our cops are proactively building those connections.

“Last year’s statewide Coffee with a Cop event was a huge success and I hope that it will continue to build with even more people taking advantage of the opportunity to sit down, get comfy and talk shop with a cop.”

‘Coffee with a Cop’ is an initiative that was born in the United States, aimed at advancing the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and members of the community.

To find out where the 89 Coffee with a Cop events are being held this morning, visit: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/home