Police across NSW adopt Coffee with a Cop initiative

By Tricia Hamilton, The Daily Telegraph
Original article HERE

FAIRFIELD LAC is the Australian pioneer of the Coffee with a Cop initiative, which will roll out across NSW this month.

Every month Fairfield police meet locals over a coffee and this Thursday (tomorrow) every command in NSW will have the chance to grab a cup of coffee and get to know the people in their communities.

Fairfield has been hosting the coffee catch-ups for five years and the Fairfield Commander, Superintendent Peter Lennon, said it was great to see it embraced by the rest of the state.

“The strength of its 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.”

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

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

Make it a date

NSW’s first Coffee With A Cop Day is on this Thursday. Head to The Usual Cafe at 8/46 Hill St, Cabramatta and Fresco Juice Bar in Neeta City, Fairfield at 9.30am.