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ALPENA – The Michigan State Police Alpena Post will be hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on Friday from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. at Olde Mill Coffee in Alpena.

Officers from the Michigan State Police, other law enforcement agencies, and community members will come together in an informal, relaxed meeting to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in their neighborhoods, while supporting a local restaurant.

The majority of contacts law enforcement officers have 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.