Police Scotland personnel give an insight into what it's like working on Christmas Day
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WHILE Christmas is, for many, a time to spend with family and friends, policing is a 365-day commitment.
Some of the officers and staff who will be working over the festive period to keep people safe have spoken about how they’ll be helping to do this.
More than 3100 officers will be on-shift throughout Christmas Day and they will be supported by almost 700 police staff colleagues, working in control centres, custody, records management and IT.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “Officers and staff will discharge duties throughout Christmas and New Year to ensure our fellow citizens are kept safe – helping people lies at the heart of policing’s mission and purpose.
“I am deeply grateful to our officers and staff for their public service and professionalism, during the festive period and at all times.”
Two of the police officers who will be providing front-line provision in Scotland on December 25 are Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor and PC Jade Hynds.
Chief Inspector Taylor said: “One of the things I love most about being a police officer is that every day is varied and different. It is not a typical 9-5 job and because of that, we must also accept that, on occasions, we will work over Christmas.
“As part of my responsibilities, I’ll be one of the officers providing senior management and dealing with any of the strategic-level decision-making that is needed.
“I am very proud to be overseeing my team and supporting Edinburgh’s policing duties on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.”
PC Hynds added: “Obviously you want to spend time with your loved ones over Christmas, but I recognise the importance of my job and am really proud to be able to do it.
"On Christmas Day, I'll be assisting with Response Policing and will be on hand to deal with a range of issues affecting the public.
“It’s a real honour to be a police officer and if that means working on December 25, then that’s just part of the role.”
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