On October 5th, officers from the Bismarck Police Department and community members will come together in an informal atmosphere to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.
All community members are invited to attend this event which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 5th at City Brew Coffee, 1151 W Divide Ave. This will be the Fourth Coffee with a Cop day hosted by the Bismarck Police Department; The first one was held October 7, 2016.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Bismarck’s neighborhoods.
The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. 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 a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.
“We hope that community members will come out and ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know their police officers,” said Police Chief Dan Donlin. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. 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.
To learn more about Coffee With A Cop, go to http://coffeewithacop.com/