FARMINGTON — Casual conversation over coffee is the root of a new community outreach event offered by the Farmington Police Department.

Farmington police Chief Jack Peck will be at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Wilton Road from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday for the first Coffee with a Cop. Residents are encouraged to come have a cup of coffee and talk with Peck in an informal setting about any questions and concerns they may have.

“It’s a way for the public to meet with us in a nonthreatening place,” Deputy Chief Shane Cote said Wednesday. “If they’re coming in to talk about an issue that is important to them, coming into the police station can be a big deal for some people.”

The idea was brought to the department’s attention by an officer who had heard about similar formats of Coffee with a Cop being offered by other police departments, Cote said.

The informal meetings between a police officer and residents who want to attend will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month.

The sessions will feature a rotation of police officers with the chief leading the first one, Cote said.

Cote said the idea was to have the location change from session to session, but a local coffee shop didn’t want to participate, so the Wilton Road Dunkin’ Donuts will be the location consistently. Cote said the shop is spacious enough that business will not be interrupted.

Lauren Abbate — 861-9252

labbate@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @Lauren_M_Abbate