PURCELLVILLE, Va. October 6, 2016— On Friday, October 7, 2016, the Purcellville Police Department will host its next “Coffee with a Cop.” The focus will be to bring together Purcellville police officers and community members in an informal, neutral space to meet each other, discuss community issues, build relationships, and share a cup of coffee.
All community members are invited to attend. The event will run from 7:30a.m. to 9:30a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Coney Island Diner, located at 745 East Main Street. If you have questions about this event, please contact the Purcellville Police Department at 540.338.7422, or cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov.
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in the town’s neighborhoods.
The majority of interactions that 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.
“Good relationships are the foundation to good partnerships. It is my hope that the community always feels comfortable to ask us questions, bring their concerns to us, or simply get to know our officers,” said Chief McAlister.
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. 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!
