Cocoa with a Cop event connects locals to Columbia Police officers

By Kayland Hagwood, WLTX
Original article HERE

People had the chance to meet with Columbia Police officers, ask questions and voice their concerns over a cup of hot chocolate Wednesday at the Richland Library.

This comes as part of a nationwide push called “Coffee with a Cop” to bring police officers and the community members they serve together to discuss issues and learn more about each other.

It’s the second year CPD has hosted Cocoa with a Cop, their spin on the initiative, at the library as way to connect with locals, Officer Terrell McCombs said.

“It gets to let them interact with us, you know? Get to know who the police are, especially if you have to respond to something,” McCombs said. “So, it just lets them see us in a different light of humanness and not what they normally see on TV.”

Pam Hamilton was there with her daughter and grandchildren. She had questions about safety.

“How we could be safer in our homes and knowing what to do when we’re out and about, I guess,” Hamilton said. “The police officers that we talked to were very, very nice. They wanted to let the children know that they don’t need to be afraid.”

Hamilton’s daughter Amy Sarazen wanted her children to meet the officers.

“I know that this stage kids are really into emergency vehicles (and) police officers,” Sarazen said.

According to McCombs, many questions from kids involved their police cars and how fast they go. The adults were interested in how to protect themselves at home and when out in the community. He hopes the event helped to grow positive, lasting relationships with locals.