It was business as usual one recent frigid morning in New London for Coast Guard Academy Police Officer Alexander Booth.

Booth started his day as usual, checking his email to "figure out what's going on for the day," and to "try to get a feel for the academy."

Booth, 28, was born in Toronto, Canada but grew up in Boston.

"I don't know if it's in my blood but I'm good as far as that goes," he said referring to the day's below-20s temperatures. He wears a thick winter jacket, a baseball cap, and occasionally throws on his winter gloves. On that day, he didn't feel the need to wear the beanie or thermals provided by the department.

"Days like today, I like to take my time and just make sure there aren't any hazards," he said.

Snow or no snow, the goal of the Coast Guard Academy Police Department is to show presence, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no matter the weather. The department runs 12-hour shifts, which often require officers to be out in the elements. Inclement weather can be a reason for the department to increase its presence around the academy.

Depending on the day, officers could expect to be outside for several hours during a shift.

Booth's job demands "a lot of in and out." In the car. Out of the car. He conducts fence, line and gate patrols across the grounds. He stops at various points throughout the campus - the Childhood Development Center, the Memorial Chapel, the crew boathouse - to make sure they're secure, and no hazards exist.

"Our main point is just access control here," he said. "Who's here, why they're here, how long."

While he's able to get warm inside the patrol car, once Booth steps outside, "then you feel it ten times worse," he said.

"The key is to move. As long as you're moving around it's not too bad," he said. "You don't have to think about it if you stay busy."

Booth says the idea is to be proactive. His job is filled with calmer days and those that seem non-stop. Even in one day, he can go from doing routine patrol checks to responding to back-to-back calls.

"You have to be ready for being outside," he said. "If there is a traffic accident or something you can't say 'see you guys I got to go warm up.'"

During the recent blizzard, Booth increased his patrols and was prepared to assist any emergency as a result of the snow. He helped to make sure roads and parking lots were clear, which meant getting out in the elements and looking at cars to find out who they belonged too. He also checked all the gates to make sure they were intact and operational. Some, Boooth said, were more challenging and "I had to dig out to make them operational."

Bad weather can affect response times. In getting to emergencies, Booth said, "it may take longer to ensure our safety in order to get on scene."

"I do want to help people," he said. "I like to do as much as I can for them even if it's behind the scenes like just checking for ice, whatever it is. I just want to make sure that people are safe. If they don't hear about what we do then that's fine because it means nobody got hurt."

And on colder days, the only difference may be more layers.

"You just bundle up you got a job to do so you got to do it," Booth said.

J.BERGMAN@THEDAY.COM

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