On October 3, 2018, the Castleton Police Chief invites you to have "Coffee with a Cop" from 7-11 a.m. in the community room at the Castleton Fire Station located at 273 Route 30N, in Castleton, VT. Chief Peter Mantello, and some of his officers, will be available to share a cup of coffee, some refreshments, and a conversation. Castleton Police Department recently hired two new police officers, Officer Scott Alkinburgh and Officer Ed Hayes. Please welcome both of these full-time officers to the Castleton family. If you can fit it into your schedule, the Chief hopes to see you there.

The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is pleased to collaborate with the Hawthorne (CA) Police Department and law enforcement agencies throughout the country for the third annual National Coffee with a Cop Day. On October 3, 2018, officers from law enforcement agencies in all 50 states and five foreign countries will participate in Coffee with a Cop, and we encourage you to join us.

The Hawthorne Police Department hosted the first Coffee with a Cop in 2011, as part of its effort to enable meaningful conversations with community residents. What began as Hawthorne's individual effort to reduce barriers between police and the public has since evolved and spread, with funding support from the COPS Office, into a national conversation between police officers and their communities. In 2016, the COPS Office established the first Wednesday in October as National Coffee with a Cop Day.

Today we marvel at the broad acceptance of this simple but effective method of bringing police and communities together. One day — and a few cups of coffee — is all you need to start strengthening the relationship between police and members of the community. No agendas, no barriers — it just takes the willingness to sit down, listen, and have a conversation.

Please join us.

Sincerely,

Phil Keith Director Office of Community Oriented Policing Services