The Staunton Police Department is inviting the community to join its officers for Coffee with a Cop, an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the police department’s work in Staunton’s neighborhoods.
Officers will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Staunton Public Library, a community hub and neutral location, to discuss community issues, build relationships with residents and discuss the recruitment and hiring process. The library will provide coffee and refreshments.
“The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations,” said Staunton Police Chief Jim Williams. “Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for relaxed, one-on-one interaction.”
About Coffee with a Cop
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.
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