Nottinghamshire Police Call Handler Works Through Christmas to Keep Public Safe
While families unwrap presents on Christmas Day, Nottinghamshire Police emergency call handler Ben Garrod will be at his post, fielding urgent 999 and 101 calls to keep the community safe.
Ben’s First Full Christmas Shift on the Frontline
At just 24, Ben has been a call handler for 18 months but this marks his first full Christmas Day on duty. Working from the force’s cutting-edge control room, he’s part of a tight-knit team acting as the vital first point of contact in emergencies.
“In some ways it will be just like a normal day for us,” Ben says. “We are away from our families but we are a close-knit team so it is just like having a surrogate family for the day. I’m expecting it to be a jovial atmosphere and we are all there because we enjoy helping people. So Christmas Day is no different to any other shift in that sense.”
Crisis at New Year Highlights Tough Job
Ben got a taste of high pressure last New Year when his team handled 400 incidents by 7am, compared to the usual 80. “It was quite crazy,” he recalls. “But we had a buffet between us and it was a great atmosphere.”
From Rolls-Royce Apprentice to Emergency Lifeline
Before joining the force, Ben was an apprentice at Rolls-Royce in Derby. Police work had always appealed to him, and the control room has been a perfect fit.
“You definitely need to be calm under pressure, think on your feet and be decisive,” Ben explains. “If anyone is thinking of giving it a go, I’d definitely encourage them to take the plunge.”
Ben describes the wide range of calls they receive:
- Serious incidents that could make the evening news
- Whacky 999 calls like a man wanting to check if his lottery ticket was a winner
“You need to be a good communicator and listener, and able to empathise with callers. Every call and situation is something different,” he adds.
For Ben and his colleagues, Christmas isn’t about resting. It’s about being the calm in the chaos and helping those who need it most.
