On Wednesday, November 1, officers from the Pocatello Police Department and community members will come together in an informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.
All community members are invited to attend “Coffee with a Cop.” The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and wraps up at 10 a.m. at Starbucks, 883 Yellowstone Avenue, in Pocatello. Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Pocatello’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.
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events have been held across the country since 2011. 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.