Cranston PD Invite Residents for "Coffee with a Cop"

Members of the Cranston Police Department are inviting community members to come join them for a cup of coffee.

The informal gathering, planned for 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, will take place at Little Falls Bakery & Cafe on Broad Street in Pawtuxet Village.

The department calls their effort to break down barriers and connect with the community in a relaxed environment “Coffee with a Cop.”

It compliments the department’s larger effort to fully engage in the community policing model. And it’s a chance for officers to cultivate relationships and connections away from the sirens and emergencies.

“Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Cranston’s neighborhoods,” said Cranston Capt. Vincent McAteer in a news release. “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 that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.”

Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist said that the coffee talks have been beneficial alongside other community outreach initiatives. The goal of “establishing an open dialogue with residents and business owners” is “to provide the best police services possible while continuing to foster a mutual trusting relationship,” the chief said.

The Cranston Police Department is planning monthly events throughout the City in an effort to receive more one-on-one feedback from the citizens we serve.

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 county, 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.

Winquist, who came to the department in the fall of 2014 to serve as chief, held ”Coffee with the Chief” events at Little Falls to introduce himself to the community.

Little Falls Bakery & Cafe is located at 2016 Broad St.