Lebanon police, residents chill out with “Ice cream with a Cop”

By Courtney Kramer, My Champlain Valley
Original article HERE

A few police officers in Lebanon, New Hampshire, took a break from their usual duties Wednesday to mingle with the community over a sweet treat.

The department held its ‘Ice cream with a Cop’ event at Ice cream Fore-u.

Similar to its monthly ‘Coffee with a Cop’ program, it’s a chance for officers to get to know the people who live in the community they serve and for citizens to put a face to the officers who help protect them.

Police say they typically meet the community in a time of crisis and this allows them to engage in a more laid back environment.

“It’s important for us, and it’s important for the people we serve to see us in a different light, to be able to get to know us and talk to us on a personal level,” said Chief Richard Mello. “It’s far different from running into us when we’re trying to work or do enforcement activities so it’s an important part of what we do.”

This is the second year Lebanon police have hosted the event.