Coffee helps form close ties between police officers and community members

A SIMPLE cup of coffee was the way residents and Campbelltown police formed closer ties and talked about issues of concern at a community event last week.

The Tannoury family of Spring Farm chat with Superintendent Wayne Benson at the Campbelltown Coffee with a cop event. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

A SIMPLE cup of coffee was the way residents and Campbelltown police formed closer ties and talked about issues of concern at a community event last week.

During Coffee With A Cop, which was held at Macarthur Square’s Coffee Club on Thursday, Campbelltown Police Sergeant Sondra Nicol and Superintendent Wayne Benson were on hand to meet residents and field their questions.

The regular event aims to foster positive relationships between the community and police, and gives residents a chance to get to know the men and women in blue and discuss their concerns in an informal setting.

Campbelltown crime manager Detective Inspector Greg Inger said Coffee With A Cop was a success.

“It continues the community work we do and keeps the lines of communication open,” Det insp Inger said.

“We’re going to try and do it every few months and make it a fairly regular event.”

Macquarie Fields police hosted their Coffee With A Cop event at Eagle Vale Marketplace with more than 60 residents in attendance. Camden police hosted their event at Narellan’s Cake Biz.

Coffee With A Cop is now regularly run in more than 73 local area commands across the state.