December and January are traditionally very deadly months for American law enforcement. Gunfire and traffic crashes are the leading causes of line of duty deaths this time of year and we need to make sure we’re balancing our officer safety with our physical and mental well-being during this sometimes arduous season. Let’s take a look at both officer safety and officer wellness to make your holidays a little bit brighter and a whole lot safer.
Officer Safety:
We all know that family tensions run high this time of year. Domestic disputes can turn violent quickly, and so can custody battles, tense workplace situations, and more. Don’t allow the routine nature of our job and these kinds of calls de-train you. Visualize various scenarios and how you and your colleagues would react to and resolve them. Make sure you’ve got your go-bag ready and your mindset where it belongs.
The holiday season is also a time to be extra-vigilant when it comes to potential terrorist activities. There are terrorist groups who hate capitalism and therefore may strike out at busy retail establishments. Religious extremists may lash out, whether in an organized fashion or in a “lone wolf” attack. Racial and political tensions are also high; make sure you stay abreast of local, state and world politics and news events so that you can react to and maybe even prevent similar crimes from occurring in your area.
The winter months are also prime time for snow and ice related accidents and illnesses. We’ve lost a number of small-town cops in this county who’ve suffered fatal heart attacks shoveling snow at the police department. Many officers each year incur significant injuries slipping on the ice or suffering frostbite during foot pursuits. If you work in a cold climate, you also need to be mindful or the ever-changing winter driving conditions as well.
The holidays can also lead to a lot of distractions in our lives so it is important to get absolutely focused when you hit the streets. Don’t be in “Condition White” worrying about finances, presents, or that goofy uncle coming to visit while you are protecting your community; plenty of time to do that sitting on your “Magic Chair” when you get home.
Officer Wellness:
‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry; which often leads to more eating, more drinking, and not so much merriment. While everyone else is winding down this time of year, if you’re a crimefighter you’ve got to ramp it up. It doesn’t seem fair unless you adjust your way of thinking. See yourself like a high level athlete who is about to enter the playoff season. Keep your “training table” piled high with protein and complex carbs, go easy on the sugar, fats, and junk food. Bring food to work with you so you’re not tempted by the goodies people bring to the station or the deep dish pizza they offer at your favorite neighborhood cop hangout. I know it’s difficult to be disciplined about your food and fitness this time of the year but your life or someone else’s may very well depend on it.
The holidays are a time for hosting visitors. This is a great time to re-evaluate your home firearms safety procedures. Maybe you live in a “kid-free” home but your four year old nephew is coming for Christmas or the kids next door stop by to say “hi” during the school holiday break. Make sure to be extra-vigilant about controlling and storing your firearms at home during this time of company coming and going.
Don’t let your personal holiday activities lead you to play a game of “you bet your badge” while you’re off duty. Whether it’s a shift Christmas party or your extended family’s holiday dinner party, if you’re going to drink DO NOT DRIVE; get a designated driver or take a cab. Forget urban legends about “professional courtesy;” in this day and age drinking and driving can lead to an immediate career change!
Cops are incredibly aware of the emotional issues that may affect some of our citizens during the holiday season but we often neglect our own mental health. Whether you’re mourning the loss of a colleague from years past, remembering a critical incident you were involved in, or suffering from addiction, marital strife, depression or even suicidal thoughts (remember, we die at least twice as often by our hand as we do by felonious assaults) know that there is help and don’t be afraid to reach out! Organizations like Safe Call Now are ready to help first responders get back on track, whatever the issue may be.
This can be a wonderful time of year for fellowship and fun, but as crimefighters we’ve got to increase our awareness on so many levels. We have to take care of ourselves to be able to serve our communities and we need to make sure out “Not Today” mentality gets us home safe and well to our families. Stay safe!
Resources:
Safe Call Now: http://safecallnow.org/
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith retired in 2009 as a 29-year veteran of the Naperville, IL Police Department. Beginning her career as a police dispatcher at age 17, Betsy became an officer four years later and has held positions in patrol, investigations, narcotics, juvenile, hostage negotiation, crime prevention and field training. She received her four year degree from Western Illinois University in 1991, and was a class officer and graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety's School of Staff and Command in May of 2001.
As a sergeant, she supervised her department's K-9 Unit, served as a field training sergeant, recruitment team sergeant, bike patrol coordinator, Crowd Control Bike Team leader, and supervisor of the Community Education/Crime Prevention Unit. Betsy served on the Elderly Services Team, the Crisis Intervention Team, and was a proud founding supervisory member of NPD’s Honor Guard Unit.
From 1999 - 2003 Betsy hosted various programs and was a content expert for the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN) and was a featured character in the Biography Channel’s “Female Forces” reality show. Betsy also serves on the Board of Directors for Safe Call Now, an organization dedicated to providing confidential support resources to first responders.
She has been a law enforcement trainer for over 20 years and was a content expert and senior instructor for the Calibre Press "Street Survival" seminar from 2003 through 2012. Betsy is a popular keynote speaker at conferences and events throughout the United States, Canada and around the world. Since 1995, Betsy has authored hundreds of articles for law enforcement, government and civilian publications including Innovations in Government, Police Marksman, Law and Order, Police Chief, Law Officer, PoliceLink.com, PoliceOne.com and LawOfficer.com. She served on the advisory board of Police Marksman magazine and is currently a featured columnist and video contributor on Officer.Com.
Betsy is the creator of the only course of its kind for women in law enforcement, “The Winning Mind for Women” and is owner of Dave Smith & Associates. Together, Betsy and Dave develop and instruct cutting edge courses through The Winning Mind LLC and travel extensively, bringing their inspirational messages throughout the world. Betsy can be reached through her website at www.femaleforces.com and you can follow her on Twitter as @SgtBetsySmith.
