Last year the Honolulu Police Department launched an initiative to demystify police work and strengthen relationships with the community.

“Coffee With a Cop” in Honolulu began in April 2016 amid turmoil in the department.

Kealoha resigned in January.

“Coffee With a Cop,” which is backed by the U.S. Justice Department, has survived the fallout of Kealoha’s departure and become a regular event throughout Oahu.

Dozens of officers have participated in the events.

Civil Beat checked out a recent “Coffee With a Cop” event at a Starbucks on Ward Avenue in Kakaako to find out what was on officers’ minds as they work to connect with the people they protect.

We asked them why they became officers and what they’d like to see in a new police chief.

A common theme — and one that we’ve heard before — was a need for more transparency in department operations.