Under this programme, cops reach out to the public, hold meetings with them at random places, listen to their grievances and try to solve them in the best possible manner
Battle-hardened Jammu and Kashmir police have now embarked on a unique journey to win the hearts and minds of people in the police district of Handwara. From solving day-to-day problems to persuading poverty-stricken offenders to shun the path of crime and help them in finding employment avenues, Jammu and Kashmir police is reaching out with ‘Coffee with Cop’.
Under this programme, cops reach out to the public, hold meetings with them at random places, listen to their grievances and try to solve them in the best possible manner. The concept is to create a positive image of the police and make the public feel that the cops are their protectors and not otherwise.
“Coffee with Cop is an informal chat with public. We hold public meetings at random places. It could be a shop, a hotel, an office, a park or any other place. We create an informal atmosphere where people feel free to discuss their problems without any fear. In fact, it helps both to understand each other more. And sometimes they point out our mistakes which we try to rectify,” said Shabir Ahmad Khan, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Handwara.
Such is the response that people not only discuss crime-related issues, but also seek their help to mitigate day-to-day problems.
“We discuss all issues. Be it drug peddling, drug addiction, women-related issues or traffic congestion. It has generated hope to the extent that people even seek our help in civil matters. For example, there was sanitation problem in Handwara. So we brought municipality heads in the next meeting to solve this problem,” said Khan.
Adding a new dimension to the initiative, the police has now decided to help poverty-stricken people accused of drug peddling to find employment avenues so that they shun the path of crime and lead a honorable life in society.
“I am planning Coffee with drug peddlers. We book them, charge them and put them in jail. But the basic cause behind peddling is poverty. So we have to address that. I talked to bankers and told them why not provide easy loans to these people so that they can start some kiosks and earn their living,” added Khan.
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 "Coffee with Cop")
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