Champaign police meet with community over coffee

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign police officers took a break from their daily duties to sit down with the community in a more casual setting.

The Coffee With a Cop event brought together police officers and residents from across central Illinois to the Champaign Public Library. It took place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. These events aim to give those who remain at home the opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere.

“Very often our officers are interacting with the community on someone’s worst day,” said Joe Lamberson of the Champaign Police Department. “Events like this are important because they let people know that their police officers are just members of their community. These are people who wear a uniform and do a job. And it’s a really good opportunity for people to get together, you know, to break bread – or in this case, to have a little coffee.

The next Coffee With a Cop will be in a few months. They will post the dates and times on their social media.