Aidan Curtis
LOCAL police are sitting down for a coffee and a chat with the community as they aim to better connect with the people they look after.
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, Mount Gambier’s Coffee with a Cop returned on Thursday, October 20 at Marketplace.
Police spent an hour catching up with people in the community, sharing coffee and donuts to help locals better understand what it is police do.
Limestone Coast police Sergeant Jade Hill said it was a great opportunity to answer questions and discuss local issues.
“It’s also about building rapport with community as well because community are our eyes and ears,” Sgt Hill said.
“We rely on them to provide information to us, so it’s a good way of opening up that conversation.”
She said there is sometimes a barrier between police and the community because of the uniform, so events like Coffee with a Cop help to break through and connect with locals.
“We’re not seen as people , but we are people, so it does provide the opportunity to have normal, everyday conversations to get to know us as people, not just police officers,” she said.
“I’m very fortunate in my role in crime prevention that I get to get out into community and talk to people from all walks of life.
“It’s a really enjoyable role, but today is a good opportunity to sit and engage with people on a less formal platform.”
Coffee with a Cop will be held at Marketplace every second month, with different police officers in various roles coming to speak to the community.
