Officers of the Christmas Shift

As we get closer to Christmas Day, we’re taking a look at some of the many officers who will be working throughout the festive season.

Today we’re shining a light on our response team.

Response officers are often the front line to our police force. They’re the officers who respond to emergency calls, follow up on reports & investigations and are the police officers you will often see walking and driving around the streets of Derbyshire, even when it’s painfully cold.

We’ve spoken with PC Travell, who will be working the day shift, starting at 7am on Christmas morning. He then has a late shift on Boxing day, meaning he’ll be postponing his Christmas plans until the 27th, when he’ll finally be able to see his family all together, and enjoy a Christmas lunch.

PC Travell’s wife is a midwife, who is also giving her Christmas Day up to support our community. They plan to finish their shifts at the same time to try and have as much of a Christmas evening together as possible with some more of their family.

PC Travell is just one of the many officers on response who will be working Christmas shifts. In his team, he is one of a number of PCs accompanied by their sergeant, working the early shift in North Derby. Each area of Derbyshire has its own team of officers, who will be working festive shifts.

Sadly, for those affected, crime doesn’t stop for Christmas. The crucial role of officers in the community doesn’t stop to. The type of calls that PC Travell can expect to respond to include road traffic collisions, assaults, domestic incidents, investigation enquiries, supporting vulnerable individuals and looking for missing people.

PC Travell said, “Working over the Christmas period can take us away from our own festivities, celebrations and time with friends and family. But it’s always rewarding to be on call helping those in need, as for some people, Christmas isn’t always a joyful time. It’s vital people know that we are there to serve our community at any time of day, whatever day of the year.”

Our officers work every day of the year, alongside many other emergency services. So why not take a moment this Christmas to thank those who will be working, and pass on your festive cheer.