The Pella Police Department is hoping to engage with the community at their next Coffee with a Cop.

Lt. Paul Haase tells KNIA/KRLS News the department had a great deal of successful conversations with residents at the first two sessions they held this past spring.

“The officers got to meet with the residents, and they got to meet some of the officers in just a really nice, casual setting, and we’re able to discuss anything from some traffic complaints to some of the things the officers like to do in their off-time,” he says.

Haase says the Coffee with a Cop program aims to foster a better relationship between officers and the people they serve.

“So many times when we interact with the public, it’s in a negative setting, or when someone’s in a crisis or been in an accident or gets pulled over for a traffic violation,” Haase says. “So this really is an opportunity for our officers to interact in a setting that is very neutral.”

The next Pella Police Department Coffee with a Cop program will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 26th at the Pella Hy-Vee.