Rio Rancho Police Department will host its next “Coffee with a Cop” event Thursday at the Broadmoor Senior Center.

The event runs from 9-10:30 a.m. This outreach effort by the department serves as an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships and visit with citizens.

Thursday’s event is one of several hosted by RRPD throughout the year intended to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve. The events are nationwide and began in 2011.

“So we try and get these Coffee with the Cops just so we can kind of connect with the community,” RRPD’s Monica Casaus said. “And so it gives them an opportunity to come kind of in a non-intimidating kind of area. And it just kind of helps us to just connect with them.”

The events are held monthly by RRPD. Watch the RRPD social media pages for announcements on upcoming events.