Have Coffee with a Cop in Chester on Oct. 12

Officers from the California Highway Patrol Chester Resident Post and community members can come together next week in an informal space to have coffee, discuss community issues and build relationships.

All community members are invited to attend the event, which runs 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Coffee Station in Chester.  

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Department’s work in local neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

“We hope community members will welcome the opportunity to ask questions, bring concerns forward, or simply get to know our officers,” said Bruce Thuelchassaigne, public information officer for the CHP. ” These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve. 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.