Portsmouth Police Hosting 'Coffee With A Cop'

PORTSMOUTH, RI — The Portsmouth Police Department will host its "Coffee With A Cop" event on Wednesday.

Portsmouth officers will be available from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to chat over a cup of coffee at Clement's Marketplace at 2575 East Main Road.

The informal event offers community members and Portsmouth police officers the opportunity to get to know each other over coffee and snacks and discuss the issues that are most important in town.

Coffee with A Cop was launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011 when officers from the Hawthorne Police Department were looking for ways to interact more successfully with the citizens they served each day. Community policing has long been considered a framework for establishing trust between the community and the police. However, over time the character and composition of our nation's communities have changed due to shifting demographics, more commuters, and the introduction of different communication methods such as websites and social media.

Police have hit upon a simple plan to break through the barriers that have been built over the years – a cup of coffee. Coffee with a Cop events are now held in all 50 states and all over the world.

Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com.