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Members of the public will have the opportunity to raise issues with police over a cup of coffee in Warkworth and Wellsford on June 22.
The Coffee with a Cop initiative is based on an American concept.
Two police officers will take questions at Quince Café in Warkworth and Peppers Café in Wellsford, from 10am to 12 noon.
Wellsford Sergeant Geoff Medland says the initiative is in response to concerns around police availability for communication with the public.
“The station can only be open to the public if a police officer is present, which means some people probably have missed out on discussing important issues at times,” Sgt Medland says.
“Coffee with a Cop will let people discuss any problems, including domestic violence and drugs, or anything related to police operations or even recruitment.”
Constable Mandi Bell started Coffee with a Cop in Helensville in December 2015.
Constable Bell says she was researching crime prevention and found the strategy, which was launched in California in 2011 and now operates in 36 US states.
She says people have come along to the Helensville sessions with a range of questions or concerns, including recruiting, firearms, traffic, roads and policing numbers.
“The feedback has been positive so far, and I intend to hold the event a couple of times each year,” she says.
The move may also help increase police visibility in the community after a recent petition for a community constable in Warkworth, with more than 2000 signatures, was turned down.
Warkworth Sergeant Bede Haughey says future Coffee with a Cop sessions will be based on the response to the first meetings.
Meanwhile, Constable Bell is looking at the option of coffee vans so the initiative can reach more remote areas of South Kaipara.
