Coffee with a cop program rolled out state wide

THIS month more than 55 police commands across NSW will gather for a chance to grab a cup of coffee and get to know the people of their communities.

Coffee with a Cop at Neeta City Shopping Centre, Fairfield. Jon Arena (Fairfield LAC), Milad Rafo Oraha, 5, Roaa Qaqos, Daniel Smith (Fairfield LAC) and Mohaimen Ramzi Brutus. Picture: Jess Husband.

FAIRFIELD LAC have been the Australian pioneers for the ‘coffee with a cop’ initiative which rolls out statewide this month.

Once a month, Fairfield police have been getting together with locals and February 23 marks the day over 55 commands across the state will gather for an opportunity to grab a cup of coffee and get to know the people of their communities.

Fairfield police at coffee with a cop event at Fairfield High School's Parents Cafe. Senior Constable Zarina Munguia, volunteer Ali Al Malky, 14-year-old Jomathan Yeo, Senior Constable Gregorace, and volunteer Snezana Tancevska. Picture: Carmela Roche

Fairfield’s Commander, Superintendent Peter Lennon said it all started when he attended a conference in America.

“I heard about it through the FBI when they were talking about different community engagement activities and I thought it sounded like a pretty good idea,” he said.

Fairfield Police hold a “coffee with a cop’ at various locations around Fairfield. Photo: Melvyn Knipe

After some co-ordination with community leaders, Fairfield began hosting these events five years ago and Supt. Lennon said it’s great to see it embraced by the whole NSW police force.

“The strength of it’s success comes from it breaking down barriers,” Supt. Lennon said.

“We talk about everything from international soccer through to teenage daughters not cleaning their room ... we’re not talking to people, we’re talking with people.”

Fairfield police are having a coffee with a cop event at Fairfield High School's Parents Cafe. The cafe has many newly arrived refugees from iraq and Syria.

In diverse areas such as Fairfield, this type of conversation has been imperative for the ease of the newest arrivals.

“What I didn’t realise until recently is how culturally important it was to offer a cup of coffee to a Middle Eastern person,” said Supt Lennon.

“Offering a cup of coffee is offering your friendship, so for a police officer to offer that is really significant for someone from the Middle East.”

Sergeant P Chand, Senior Constable D Jones, Phuang Pham and Salwa Shenouda at Fairfield LAC held a “coffee with a cop” event at Gloria Jeans, Fairfield. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Supt. Lennon said most people are generally interested in talking to police, but most contact prior to these events are less than positive.

“It’s an opportunity to see police as human beings who do a job,” he said.

And if someone has a police issue to discuss, Supt. Lennon said there are police from Highway Patrol, the domestic violence unit or detectives on hand to help.

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Superintendent Peter Lennon chats with local people “coffee with a cop” at Gloria Jeans, Fairfield. Picture: Melvyn Knipe