Lim kopi with your friendly neighbourhood Police officer and pick up the latest info on how to safeguard yourself from crime!
By: Mike Tan
What’s more quintessentially #SG than having a friendly chat over a cup of kopi or teh? That’s the premise behind Coffee with a Cop, a community engagement initiative of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) that’s now in its sixth month and continuing to brew up cool new conversations in our neighbourhoods!
Inspired by similar community-centric initiatives in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, the SPF’s Coffee with a Cop initiative first underwent a three-month trial in 2022 at Sengkang, Geylang and Bukit Timah Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) before being launched at the Police Community Roadshow 2023 in June.
“We regularly engage specific groups such as residents and office workers with targeted intention and messaging,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Shng Yunn Chinn, Director of the SPF’s Community Partnership Department. “Coffee with a Cop is designed to be an open and accessible platform for members of the public to approach our officers in a convenient and informal setting; this facilitates deeper conversations and enables us to build trust with the community.”
Since June, all 35 NPCs have hosted monthly Coffee with a Cop sessions, to a warm response. Publicised through the NPCs’ social media accounts and held at coffee shops, hawker centres and neighbourhood eateries, the sessions draw a range of residents, from youths and new couples to families and retirees. All are welcome, and you pick your beverage of choice!
Chatting Over a Cuppa in Bukit Batok
The spirit of open dialogue and exchange was very much in evidence at a Coffee with a Cop session held at Bukit Batok in November 2023. At a coffee shop on Bukit Batok Street 31, Community Policing Unit (CPU) officers arranged their brochures and had a quick word with stall owners before going from table to table to speak to residents.
A warm greeting, a handshake and the conversations were off to a great start! “Since June, we’ve chosen a number of venues in Bukit Batok to conduct these sessions and reach out to residents,” shared Station Inspector (SI) Lim Ching Wei. “They’ve been very receptive, and the stall and business owners have been supportive too.”
According to SI Lim, dialogue sessions can span a range of subjects. “During this period, for example, we’ll talk to residents about scams that are common during the festive season,” he explained. “We also share the latest advisories and crime trends that are most relevant to them.”
Among those that the officers spoke to were young couples and families. “We’ll listen to their concerns and see how we can help them, or refer them to the appropriate channels,” said SI Nadia Sapuan. “As part of our crime prevention efforts, we’ll also introduce residents to the Community Watch Scheme and the ScamShield app. I’ve helped many to download the app right away!”
For the CPU officers, Coffee with a Cop offers a fresh platform for them to engage more deeply with the community, and vice versa. “Some aunties will tell us about happenings in their corner of the neighbourhood, and recently, I had a nice conversation with a university student who wanted to know what it’s like to be a Police officer,” said SI Nadiah. “The conversations are varied, the drinks are on us and we’re happy to chat!
Coffee with a Cop
Keen to share a cuppa with your friendly neighbourhood Police officer? Want to learn the latest advisories and crime trends? Look out for a Coffee with a Cop session near you via the Facebook accounts of your local NPC. See you soon!
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