Building relations

Campus police officers are sworn to protect and serve the Cal State Long Beach community and that included cups of coffee to those students and faculty members who stopped by Friday’s “Coffee with a Cop” event.

“We’re here for the students, faculty staff and That they don’t need us 24/7,” said Lt. Rick Goodwin. “It just gives us the opportunity to speak to the community. That’s what it’s all about.”

The event, originally started in 2011 by the Hawthorne Police Department, was part of the National Community Policing Week, which was enacted last month by President Obama.

“We’re putting a face with a name … giving the folks the opportunity to come up and talk with us, grab a cup of coffee and say hi and go on their way,” Goodwin said. “It’s a ‘breaking bread’ type of situation.”

Given it was Friday, not many students were on campus. But those who did stop by found officers who were willing to exchange ideas on how to build better relationships between the police and campus community.

Among the law enforcement officers also at the walkway in front of the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf were Capt. Chris Schivley, Chief Fernando Solorzano and Det. Chris Brown.

“This is good,” said Daniel Sunkari, a third-year journalism/public relations major. “I think the campus definitely needs it … Knowing how the student body feels and everything going on in the country, this gives campus police the space to interact with students.”

Sunkari said he feels if students have a pleasant experience with campus police, they will carry that same outlook to the police officers in their community. He said better relations are needed considering the volatile climate in the country.

“If the campus police continue to do outreach events like this, it will create more pleasant experiences for students,” Sunkari said.

The campus police department will be holding another such get-together Oct. 19 in the Beach Circle, where students can stop by for a slice of pizza, a cold drink and conversation.

“Community policing is not a new thing,” Goodwin said. “This is more to let people know we are here for them. To let them know we aren’t the bad guy.”