Area residents are invited to meet with Shawano Police Department officers at “Coffee with a Cop” on April 22.
Police Chief Mark Kohl said the program will give community members a chance to meet with officers in an informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee.
Coffee with a Cop begins at 8 a.m. April 22 at McDonald’s, 1202 E. Green Bay St.
“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns or simply get to know our officers,” Kohl said. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships. We’ll have these events several times a year at different coffee locations around the city.”
He said the program provides a unique opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in their neighborhoods.
The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations, Kohl noted, which often are not the most effective times to build relationships with the community.
Also, some community members might feel that officers are unapproachable on the street, he said.
“Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction,” Kohl noted.
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.
The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.