Police personnel give insight into working on Christmas Day

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 our fellow citizens safe have spoken about how they’ll be helping to do this.

Over 3,100 officers will be on-shift throughout 25 December and they will be supported by almost 700 police staff colleagues, working in functions such as Command and Control (C3), 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 are Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor from Edinburgh Division and PC Jade Hynds from Forth Valley Division.

Chief Inspector Taylor, who is the Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh, 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 to the Division 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, who is based in Stirling, said: “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.

"I'm normally part of Stirling's Community Team, but on Christmas Day, I'll be assisting with Response Policing and will be on hand to deal with a range of issues affecting the Stirling area and the public.

“It’s a real honour to be a police officer and if that means working on 25 December, then that’s just part of the role.”

Also keeping Police Scotland business ticking over on Christmas Day is David Purdie, Operations Manager within C3 Division, based at Helen Street in Govan.

David said: “Regardless of the time of year, people always need to contact police and it’s important that we are here to provide assistance for whatever they require.

“My department’s main tasks are ensuring that all 999 and 101 calls are answered as efficiently as possible, that our staff are ready to deal with anything that they may be presented with on the other end of the phone and to ensure the best possible service to the public

“I’m happy to be part of the team working to supporting our officers and the public on Christmas Day.”