Imagine working on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, or New Year’s Eve, and your job duties include protecting the citizens of your community and reducing crime, all at the risk of your own life. Those are the duties of first responders, including police officers who, during the holidays, must respond to an increase of calls concerning domestic disputes, burglaries, suicide attempts, and more. So, as the holidays fast approach, we hope that all citizens appreciate the challenging job all first responders face, and show your support for San Antonio Police Officers.
Throughout their career, the majority of an officer’s time on duty is spent dealing with society’s bad side, and this only increases during the holidays. Holidays heighten anxieties in households, which then ignite family battles. Add alcohol to the mix and police officers have their work intensified. The increase in crime and other incidents, including those related to drinking and drug abuse, adds to the difficulty of the job, which can lead to stress and depression for all first responders. The holidays should be a happy time for everyone, including police officers who, like you, want to spend quality time and make memories with friends and family. Nonetheless, police officers know that they have dedicated their lives to preventing crime and protecting the community and that the holidays are no exception.
For some officers, getting through the season means putting on some defensive emotional armor. Luckily, the San Antonio Police Department offers counseling programs and psychiatry services to officers who feel the stress of the season. However, the true stress reliever for an officer would be making it throughout the work day unharmed and return to their families.
Remember, first responders have the duty to protect you and your family, especially during the holiday season when crime is increased, so as they do their job, we hope that everyone in our community can show support for police officers and other first responders. Have a great holiday season!