POLICE officers are often called to confronting scenes in their line of work.
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They respond to road accidents where patients have lost large amounts of blood and require transfusions to keep them alive.
Through their work, they understand the vital need for blood donations.
Operation Bleed4Blue is an annual blood drive that was launched in 2018 following the stabbing of Detective Sergeant John Breda at Maroubra on Australia Day 2018, when more than 100 bags of blood were needed to keep him alive.
Now in its fourth year, Bleed4Blue encourages members of the Police Force to visit a Lifeblood donor centre and help save lives.
Inspector Stuart Campbell said police often see how vital blood donations are in their line of work.
"We are called to road incidents where people are in need of blood donations and we see how important it is," he said.
Insp Campbell has been donating blood for around 25 years.
"Knowing that each time you donate can save three lives is very humbling," he said.
Operation Bleed4Blue runs from December 1 through until February 28.
Northern Regional Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna also donated blood as part of Operation Bleed4Blue in Port Macquarie on Friday, December 10.
"As police, we know how important it is for blood to be readily available following a road accident or critical incident," he said.
"It's something small to do, but the significance of it can make all the difference to someone who needs it."
Port Macquarie local Lucas Bentley was one of those people who needed a blood transfusion following a road accident.
He had ridden motorcycles for most of his life starting with dirt bikes and progressing to road bikes as soon as he could.
It was while riding with friends at Mount Seaview in August last year that the unthinkable happened.
"I swerved to miss a wallaby and ended up losing control of the bike before falling 30 metres and landing in a tree," Lucas said.
Lucas broke all of his ribs, shattering two beyond repair. Both of his lungs were punctured, with his right lung collapsing. He broke his sternum, broke his arm and dislocated his elbow.
"I received three units of blood at the scene before being airlifted to hospital," he said.
Lucas spent five days in an ICU and received a further 12 units of blood during numerous surgeries following the accident.
"I had donated blood when I was younger through school, but I didn't think much about it until the accident," Lucas said.
"As soon as I am able to, I'm going to start donating again."
With blood demand at a 10 year-high and the festive period a challenging time of the year for blood supplies, locals are also encouraged to roll up their sleeves.
"The need for blood never takes a break and donated blood will be needed every day between now and Christmas to treat many sick and seriously ill people across Australia," said Lifeblood spokesperson Gilly Paxton.
"A lot of our regular donors do take some time off from donating over Christmas, so we are encouraging new donors to step up over the festive period.
"It only takes an hour to donate and it can save lives."
"December is the time for all of us to do what police do so well - roll up our sleeves and lend an arm when it's most needed."
