SYDNEY, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Law enforcement officers in the Australian State of New South Wales (NSW) have begun a unique annual initiative on Tuesday that encourages local community members to drop into their local police station and have "coffee with a cop."

State Minister for Police Troy Grant said the police force invite the public to drop by every year because most people usually only seek out police when they are the victim or a witness of crime, and this is not an optimal time to build relationships.

"The Coffee with a Cop initiative gives communities throughout NSW the chance to have a chat with local police in an informal and relaxed environment to discuss community safety issues that matter to them," he said.

"Last year's statewide Coffee with a Cop event was a huge success and I hope that it will continue to build with even more people taking advantage of the opportunity to sit down, get comfy and talk shop with a cop."

This year there are 58 police area commands and districts across the state involved in the program with officers from general duties, highway patrol, youth liaison officers, domestic violence and crime prevention all present to speak to the community.

"For police to be effective in keeping NSW safe they must have positive relationships with local communities," Grant said.