Coffee, conversation, cops.

The Bainbridge Island Police Department is inviting islanders to sit down with a few officers for a cup of coffee and some conversation at an upcoming session of “Coffee with a Cop.”

Bainbridge Island Police Chief Matthew Hamner and officers will host the get-together from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7 at the McDonald’s on the corner of Highway 305 and High School Road.

“We hope community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers,” Hamner said. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Organizers of the coffee klatch say “Coffee with a Cop” provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions in a casual setting, and learn more about the department’s work in Bainbridge’s neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts police officers have with the public occur during emergencies, or emotional situations, officials noted, and such situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community. “Coffee with a Cop” breaks down barriers and allows for relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

For more information about the event, contact Officer Carla Sias at csias@bainbridgewa.gov.