Beyond the Badge: NDSU Police Connect with Students Over Coffee

Coffee, donuts and conversation brought students and officers together for NDSU's annual Coffee with a Cop event on Oct. 8, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Held in the Sandbox at the Memorial Union, the event provided students with an opportunity to interact with campus police officers in a casual setting.

Coffee and donuts may fit the traditional police officer stereotype, but Coffee with a Cop was created with a larger purpose in mind. The initiative originated with the Hawthorne Police Department in California as a way to break down barriers between police officers and the communities they serve, as expressed on the Coffee with a Cop website. Officers at the event said NDSU has participated in the initiative for approximately a decade. They also discussed the importance of interacting with community members outside of law enforcement situations or emergencies.

When asked what would make the event successful, NDSU Police Lt. Joe Anderson emphasized community-oriented policing, highlighting the importance of building connections between officers and the campus community.

Community-oriented policing, however, extends much further than just this event. NDSU Police, Gennifer Baker, an NDSU graduate, discussed her involvement with the university's one-credit self-defense course, which incorporates the Rape Aggression Defense System. Not only does the course teach students how to recognize potentially dangerous situations and defend themselves, but it also provides an opportunity to interact with campus police officers outside of an emergency. Through educational programs like this, officers can take a proactive approach to campus safety while building relationships with students.

Baker also discussed her involvement with NDSU's Staff Senate, where she served for approximately seven years. She explained that the experience allowed her to build relationships with university employees, which can make people more comfortable approaching officers when concerns arise.

"She's gonna know me and maybe at least feel more comfortable telling me something if something was happening in their office," Baker said, referring to a university employee she knew.

Baker has remained with the NDSU Police Department for more than a decade. She explained that after spending so much time at the university, she feels invested in both the department and the campus community.

Officers at the event also discussed several responsibilities that students may not typically associate with police work. In addition to responding to disturbances on campus, officers regularly respond to smoke alarms in residence halls. These alarms can be triggered by everyday activities, including cooking, shower steam and hair styling tools. Officers also participate in educational presentations and other outreach activities designed to engage with students.

While Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for students to interact with officers in a casual setting, the department's efforts to build relationships extend beyond the annual event. From educational presentations to everyday interactions with students and staff, officers continue to emphasize the importance of making themselves approachable to the campus community.