Local communities across the state gathered for a coffee with local police

By Tricia Hamilton, Fairfield Advance
Original article HERE

Senior constable Lyndall Olsen speaks with locals as Cabramatta Hosts it's first coffee with a cop day at The Usual Cafe, Cabramatta. Picture: Brianne Makin

THE Cabramatta community welcomed the chance to have a chat and share a coffee with their local cops this morning.

Cabramatta held its inaugural Coffee with a Cop morning as part of the statewide rollout of the initiative, which was introduced by Fairfield local area command five years ago.

A long line of coffees kept baristas at The Usual Cafe busy while stylish Vietnamese women in brightly coloured traditional dresses lined for photos with smiling police officers.

Cabramatta crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Darren Newman said many residents were suspicious of police and that was one of the reasons why the initiative was so important.

“Cabramatta LAC prides itself on its community engagement activities and today was about local police officers being able to hear, learn and share stories with the community,” he said.

“Stories of hardship suffered by many of our newly arrived refugees are powerful and a valuable part of building a better understanding of what people expect and need from their local police,” he said.

A total of 87 events were held across 73 local area commands including Fairfield.

Fairfield enjoyed its largest turnout ever this morning, proving the success of the community engagement program.

Fairfield Commander Detective Superintendent Peter Lennon said the concept was simple, and its success was more than he could have hoped for.

“It takes time to develop an understanding for our newest arrivals, but we’re at a point where our community is confident in talking to us,” Supt Lennon said.

“We, the police, are part of the community. We work here, we live here, we shop here, our children go to school here.

“The safety of the community is a shared goal and we want to work towards it together.”

Field Operations, Acting Deputy Commissioner Frank Mennilli also attended Fairfield’s event.

He said the more confidence you gave the community, the more they trusted police to help them if they ever needed assistance.

“Feedback from the community and police has been tremendous and turnout continues to grow, which is why we’re hosting a statewide event,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Mennilli said.

It’s a relaxed atmosphere where we want you, the community, to reach out to us and tell us what’s on your mind.”

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.