The Thurgoona mum took Connor, 3, and Logan, 1, along to Coffee With A Cop at Retro Lane cafe on Thursday where the community was invited to meet and mingle with the men and women in blue over a free cuppa.

“I want my children to learn police are there to protect them, not just catch people doing the wrong thing,” Mrs Blatchford said.

The area’s police chief, Superintendent Evan Quarmby, said this was the first time Albury had hosted the event aimed at building better relationships between the community and police.

“We might wear a uniform and we have a job to do but we are also people and it’s important members of the community feel they can approach us,” he said.

“Today was a great opportunity to get feedback whether it’s on crime issues or who is going to win the footy next weekend.

“I love seeing the kids here because we want to shift the message from fearing the police to working with police.”