General News
22 July, 2025
Locals have a cuppa with a cop
Local police and community members shared coffee and conversation on Friday in an opportunity to ask questions and share what’s on resident’s minds.
Coffee with a Cop is a community engagement initiative happening across the region which returned to Maryborough last week.
Hosted by the Maryborough IGA, who supplied over 46 free coffees, local police spoke with the community on everything from casual banter to the issues that concern locals most.
Member of the Goldfields Active Policing Unit Senior Constable Dan McGregor said the day was a great opportunity to meet with the public in a more positive setting — rather than during a traffic stop, after a collision, or following a crime.
“Outside of whether you’re a victim of an offence or an offender, it’s generally a pretty bad day for everyone involved,” he said.
“I think it’s great for the community to have this voice without the formalities of the police station.”
Sen Con McGregor said community events, from school visits to a coffee date, reinforce that local police are residents and locals themselves — not just the unform.
“I don’t drink coffee. That’s the thing I’m not here for the free coffee. I’m here just to have a chat and get out in the community,” he said.
“It’s packed, it’s noisy, there’s people everywhere, and everyone’s pretty happy to see it.”
They’re a few hours on a Friday which wouldn’t have been possible without Maryborough IGA store manager Jefferson Hoober.
“As everyone in Maryborough is aware Jefferson Hoober, a top bloke, does so much for the community,” Sen Con McGregor said.
“He’s supplying the coffees, we’re supplying the chat.
“He’s just one of those hidden gems in the community. He’ll never put himself out there himself but he’s just an absolute legend.”
Although the date for the next Coffee with a Cop hasn’t been set, Sen Con McGregor encourages the community to get in touch with whatever’s on their mind.
“At any stage if anybody feels they have any concerns or questions don’t feel intimidated by the police station,” he said.
“If they see us down the street or anywhere just stop us, have a chat, behind the uniform we’re just normal people.”