Other CT LEOs volunteer to cover Newtown shifts so the entire Newtown police force can get Christmas Day off

**Jenna** · 12-24-12, 05:34 PM

On Christmas Day, thanks to a grassroots effort by their fellow law enforcement brethren in nearby communities, Newtown's police officers will be the recipients of a rare gift in their profession -- a holiday off, for the entire force.

"Patrol officers and sworn personnel will be given the day off to be home on Christmas. Officers from surrounding towns will be patrolling Newtown," police Sgt. Steve Santucci of Newtown told CNN.
Newtown police have been working nonstop since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14. The school shooting claimed the lives of 20 children and six faculty members, leaving a close-knit community -- and its police force -- still reeling 10 days later."When something like this happens ... it's a police thing. We'll always try to help out neighboring towns. Any time there's a tragedy, we'll try our best to lend a helping hand," said Lt. Bob Kozlowsky of the Shelton, Connecticut, police department.Kozlowsky's department is among those that have helped in the Newtown force in the days since the shooting -- days with a seemingly endless procession of funerals, with families trying to bear up under unbearable mountains of grief. Days with police work still to be done."We've sent officers, dispatchers, and even our chief of police has gone to Newtown to help out. We've helped with dispatching, traffic, miscellaneous calls. Our chief of police has gone to assist their chief of police with administrative duties."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/24/us/connecticut-newtown-police-holiday/

**CT209** · 12-26-12, 07:36 PM

I did 12 hours there yesterday. It was amazing to see all of the officers from departments all over the state. Way too many departments to list here but take my word for it, officers came from miles away to cover Christmas. But it wasn't only yesterday, other agencies have been helping out in the town since the day of the shooting.