Niles Chief of Police Jim Millin is not a coffee drinker, but he was still inspired when the Berrien County Sheriff’s office in conjunction with the Buchanan police hosted their own coffee with a cop last month in Buchanan.
This Friday, Millin will join Niles police officers and the Michigan State Police in their very own coffee with a cop from 7 to 9 a.m. at Martin’s, 720 S. 11th St. in the cafeteria.
“We decided we were going to do this and see what comes up in our community,” Millin said.
With communities across the nation calling for better relationships between cities and law enforcement, Millin said the first ever Niles coffee with a cop is a chance to sit down with residents in a relaxed setting and build that relationship.
“The thought around the nation is that the community wants better access to their law enforcement,” he said. “And to be able to speak with them and in a setting like this rather than a criminal complaint.”
With officers and residents alike leading busy lives, Millin said that often police and civilian interaction is based on stressful situations when residents call for help for help or assistance.
He said Niles officers want more than that.
In addition to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and Buchanan police meeting with residents over coffee, Millin said that he heard the city of South Bend also held a similar get together and the results were positive.
If the turnout is good and the people express a need, coffee with a cop will continue in the months to come.
The officers will come to coffee on a volunteer basis, while some will be on duty, Millin said he expects a good turnout from officers.
Millin looks forward to the opportunity for residents and cops to get to know one another as people.
“Local law officers are people just like those in the community,” he said. “It is a chance to get some questions answered if they are having a problem in the neighborhood. It is just kind of an open forum.”
He also wants the city to be aware that officers are there to help.
“We are always be available anytime the public wants to do something like this so really it is up to them,” he said.
Millin invites the community to come and share their thoughts. He will be the one sitting at the table holding a Coke.