The Coffee with a Cop program first taken up by the Capalaba Police Station is being replicated around Queensland.
Senior Constable Sam Schofield of Capalaba Police Station and Capalaba Police Beat administration officer Pauline Dunn started the Coffee with a Cop initiative about 18 months ago.
The latest event was held at Two Shots Coffee Shop at Alexandra Hills Shopping Centre on Friday.
Bayside Patrol Group Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Sergeant Chris Hebblethwaite said the success of the program had seen it used in other parts of Queensland with equal success.
“Coffee with a Cop is a great community initiative started by local police from Capalaba Police Station.
“The program provides a friendly, comfortable environment for members of the community to chat with their local police about anything that might be concerning them,” he said.
“The cuppa is the great equaliser!”
The idea came from the United States, but Capalaba Police Station was the first to start it in Queensland.
Senior Constable Schofield said they wanted to give the community an opportunity to chat to police in a relaxed environment.
“Sometimes people are too scared to contact Crime Stoppers or find police stations daunting.
“It has worked for us and now other police stations are doing Coffee with a Cop as well,” Senior Constable Schofield said.
The police are supported by groups such as the Volunteers in Policing and volunteers from Crime Stoppers.
Sergeant Hebblethwaite said Coffee with a Cop provides a wonderful opportunity for the police to engage with the public and highlight crime prevention messages to help prevent people from becoming victims of crime.
”It’s also a great vehicle for building relationships with local business and community groups and we will always endeavour to partner with groups like Neighbourhood Watch or Crime Stoppers to assist them in sharing their message too.”
