The Campbell Police Department has instituted a program that it says helps its 44 cops better connect with its residents.

Coffee with a Cop events have been held routinely since the program was launched in April last year. The most recent meet-up was held Sept. 17 at the Starbucks in Safeway at 950 W. Hamilton Ave.

Police Chief David Carmichael says that to date, six events have been held under the program’s banner, with residents asking questions, addressing neighborhood concerns and just starting a conversation. He got the idea for the program from another department.

“I was at a training class a couple of years ago and met an officer from Hawthorne,” Carmichael said. “He talked about the program there, and I fell in love with the concept.”

Carmichael said his department hosted Hawthorne Police Department’s captain and sergeant to hold a workshop on how to run the coffee event. Other departments and agencies were also invited to the workshop.

“It’s a good chance for our officers and staff to interact with people outside of our call center setting,” Carmichael said. “We’re in a relaxed setting to hear ideas, partner with the community, solve problems and keep residents safe.”

According to Carmichael and Capt. Joe Cefalu the largest turnout thus far was last year’s April 29 event at Le Boulanger in the Pruneyard Shopping Center.

“That place was packed,” Cefalu said, adding that residents who usually go to the coffee sit-downs praised the department for their work and showed their support for the community.

While officers meet new people at the events, sometimes they get a blast from the past. Campbell resident Tiffani Higginson caught up with Westmont High School classmate Spencer Billman, who is a motorcycle officer for the department for nine years. He and Higginson both graduated in 2003.

Higginson said she came to the Sept. 17 event because of her daughter Ayva.

“She loves her cops,” Higginson said, noting her daughter’s coloring book had a police officer theme and her stuffed animal was a police dog.

Officer Brad Rice as able to connect with resident Mary Omnes at the event. The two met when Rice was on a call about eight years ago.

“She calls me every once in a while and bakes brownies for me,” Rice said.

“It’s always nice to give the department support,” Omnes said.

Carmichael says the department will host another Coffee with a Cop event in the fall and winter.

“This is an extension of what we try to do,” Carmichael said.