-  The Milwaukee Police Department: High Fives and Pedestrian Safety
        - Improving Police-Community Relations in Six U.S. Cities
        - On the Beat over the Holidays: In Conversation with Wayne Vincent
        - The Peacemaker Corps: Promoting Peace, Tolerance, and Conflict Resolution
        -  Private Prisons: Change in Policy and Practice
        -  Social Media: How Police Agencies Are Re-writing the Communications Handbook

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### On the Beat over the Holidays: In Conversation with Wayne Vincent

*First responders don’t take the holidays off. We asked Wayne Vincent of  the Arlington County Police Department and the current COPS office Senior  Fellow what makes working through the holidays great, weird, and different.*

*What’s it like to be on call while everyone else is taking time off?*

      The emotional toll of working  during the holidays can be substantial for an officer and his or her family. Our  families are expected to understand that we will miss Sunday dinners, first  soccer games, birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas mornings, and  yes, even the  Super Bowl. It never gets  easy calling in a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year. The one comfort we have is  the unwavering support of our police family. As a supervisor you never forget  that unselfish officer who volunteers to work the holidays or when one of our  Jewish or Muslim brothers or sisters volunteers to work Christmas morning just  so another officer can spend the holidays with their family. Of course we all  look forward to each division’s holiday parties. It a great time to celebrate  our diversity in food, culture, and give thanks for each other.   

*Do you think that people recognize the added burdens of being a cop  over the holidays?*

        Although this time of year can be  difficult on our families, it is also a time when we are reminded that we have  the support of our community and they understand and appreciate the dedication  and service we take each day on patrol. It is not uncommon for local businesses  or even a resident to send holiday cookies to midnight roll call or for a local  business to offer free coffee to all first responders on Thanksgiving. Our  local Knights of Columbus traditionally offers any officers a hot meal on  Thanksgiving and some officers choose to eat in one of our fire stations (who  are known for cooking quite the Thanksgiving feast). Whether we are working a  shift or fortunate to spend the holidays with family and friends, we are reminded  what is important in life and to never forget those that are unable to be with  us this holiday season.   

*What makes policing at the holidays different than policing at other  times of year?*

        Like so many other local police  departments, Arlington County PD  is preparing  for an influx of visitors to our jurisdiction to celebrate the holidays. While many  Americans will visit with family and friends or spend countless hours shopping,  local law enforcement is confronted with keeping our communities safe during  the busiest of times; three days ago the FBI warned of another potential terror  threat on Thanksgiving. 

        During the holidays, each shift may see an influx of calls  that are unique to that shift. For example, Day and Evening Patrol will see an  increase in calls around the malls for crimes such as shoplifting, larceny from  autos, and street robberies. Midnight Patrol may see an increase in domestic  assault, especially on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve. I  believe we also notice an increase in attempted and successful suicides.

        As with most major holidays, special events or national  anniversary, this time of year brings heightened security concerns. Because we  are located outside our nation’s capital, we have become accustomed   to heightened security measures which  essentially mean increased police presence. During this time of the year, our  residents and visitors to Arlington can expect to see officers in high  visibility areas especially around malls, national monuments, metro stations and  other potential target areas.  The  holidays mean officers may be required to extend their shifts to account for  staffing needs or work Holiday Traffic Campaigns such as “Click it or Ticket”  or DUI check points.

*Do you have a favorite  story about working a major winter holiday? *

        No one can forget the Snowmageddon of 2010. All three shifts  stayed in a hotel because it was impossible to get home unless you resided in  the county. I think most of us used it as a bonding session for different  squads. It was unusual but somewhat fun to wake up and go to dinner and catch a  movie with your squad.  The shift was slow since most businesses were  closed until you got that call for that lone driver stuck in a drift.

Sarah Estill  Staff Writer

Wayne Vincent  Lieutenant, Arlington (VA) Police Department   Senior Fellow, COPS Office

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**Back to top**

 The Milwaukee Police Department: High Fives and Pedestrian Safety| The National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice: Improving Police-Community Relations in Six U.S. Cities  |  On the Beat over the Holidays: In Conversation with Wayne Vincent  |The Peacemaker Corps: Promoting Peace, Tolerance, and Conflict Resolution  | Private Prisons: Change in Policy and Practice  | Social Media: How Police Agencies Are Re-writing the Communications Handbook 

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