Working on a holiday is another day at the office for troopers according to Ken Sears with the Missouri State Troopers Association. But, he realizes working holidays takes away from time that officers could be spending with family.

Working holidays goes with the territory for troopers

Working holidays goes with the territory for troopers

“It does take away a little time from the families, but I think if you’re going to work on the patrol, be a nurse or doctor, you’re going to realize that you’re going to have to adjust your family time,” said Sears.”

Sears said holiday shifts are generally eight hours, so that gives troopers an opportunity to spend the remainder of the day with family.

Most state troopers work the holidays and Sears said it goes with the territory.

“The focus will be more concentrated on trying to prevent fatalities, taking drunk drivers off the road, road rage, all the traditional traffic issues with the increased traffic to just make everybody’s travel time safe,” said Sears.

Sears said there’s more pressure on officers if the holidays involve bad weather, but the patrol plans ahead in those cases.

“If we’ve got nice weather, above freezing and dry roads, that helps a lot. If you’ve got a big snow storm, that creates chaos.”

He said drunk driving arrests increase during the holidays and spotting intoxicated motorists requires additional work and attention to detail by officers.