After a lengthy hiatus due to the pandemic, Coffee with a Cop has returned to 91原创.

This month, there will be six opportunities in late October at locations in Aldergrove, 91原创 Township, and 91原创 City for residents to participate in the community policing initiative that aims to improve and strengthen police-public relations by bringing RCMP officers, volunteers, and community members together over coffee.

Questions about policing, about becoming a police officer, and other queries are invited.

The first two are set for Tuesday, Oct. 25, the first at the Si Cafe in Aldergrove, at 26310 Fraser Hwy. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On the same day, officers will be at the Brookswood McDonald鈥檚, at 4061 200th St., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, Oct, 26, the Red Velvet Cafe in 91原创 City, at 20443 Douglas Cres., will host Coffee with a Cop, from 12 to 2 p.m. Then the Walnut Grove Starbucks, at 20159 88th Ave., will host from 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27, it will be the turn of the Crosswalk Cafe, at 9180 Glover Rd. in Fort 91原创 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And finally, on Friday, Oct. 28, the last session will be held in Willoughby, at the Creekside Coffee Factory, at 20202 66th Ave., from 3 to 5 p.m.

We're BACK! Come meet 91原创 RCMP's Community Policing Section from October 25 - 28 @ various coffee houses throughout for some hot coffee & great conversation!

鈥� 91原创 RCMP (@91原创RCMP)

The idea for Coffee with a Cop, an informal way to connect communities with their law enforcement officers, was born in California in 2011.

Officers with the Hawthorne Police Department, looking for ways to bridge the gap between civilians and officers, came up with the idea of having a cup of coffee with citizens and being open to dialogue.

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It quickly expanded, turning into national Coffee With a Cop Day, held on the first Wednesday in October, and celebrated in all 50 states.

It is considered one of the most successful community-oriented policing programs in the United States, credited with breaking down barriers between police officers and the public, 鈥渁s it opens the door for interaction outside complicated situations, which, typically, are what brings police officers and citizens together,鈥� according to an online page devoted to the event.

鈥�..there are no formalities: no agenda is followed, no speeches are given, and no reports or documentation is required. The conversation is held in a relaxed environment to make communication between police officers and citizens better and ideas are shared between officers and citizens. Coffee-with-a-Cop events take place at local restaurants so that the atmosphere of the encounter is casual and neutral.鈥�

In Canada, some police departments observe the day, but others 鈥� like the 91原创 RCMP detachment 鈥� have different schedules. Police in Europe, Australia, Africa, and Latin America have also taken up the idea.

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