Waco, TX — This holiday season, Constable Guy Beveridge of Coryell County is spreading festive cheer in a way that combines mischief and meaningful community outreach. His initiative, Operation: Bad Elf, is quickly becoming a local tradition, delighting families and helping to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Inspired by the popular Elf on the Shelf tradition, Operation: Bad Elf invites families to send their mischievous holiday elves to the Constable’s office, where they become the subjects of playful “criminal” investigations. The elves, once under the jurisdiction of the constable’s office, are caught up in all sorts of festive mischief—sneaking candy, dipping into syrup, and indulging in other holiday fun. After their adventures, the elves are returned to their families in a police car, complete with a personalized “booking sheet” outlining their “crimes.”
“It’s all about getting these elves back to their house,” Beveridge explained. “They get outside, they go up to Santa, they come back and get downtown with some bad elves, unfortunately. It’s my job to bring them back to their house.”
The playful initiative, which began as a small holiday project, has quickly grown in popularity, with more than 125 elves delivered to local families within the first three weeks of the program. Beveridge expects to exceed 140 deliveries by the end of the season.
The main goal of Operation: Bad Elf is to create positive interactions between law enforcement officers and the children of Copperas Cove and surrounding communities. By taking on the role of a friendly, mischievous figure in the holiday story, Beveridge hopes to show children that police officers are approachable and can be trusted allies.
“It’s important for kids to know that we are friends in the community,” Beveridge said. “We’re people you can come up to. It doesn’t matter when you cross our path, I want you to know you can always find a hug here if you need one.”
The heart of the program is its ability to bring joy, laughter, and a sense of safety to the community, especially during the busy and often stressful holiday season. For many children, the idea that their elf has been “caught” by the police and returned with a humorous backstory creates a memorable experience that can help them see law enforcement in a more positive light.
What started as a small, lighthearted initiative has now caught the attention of families across Copperas Cove, and Beveridge has already begun making plans to expand Operation: Bad Elf beyond the city. He hopes to involve other officers in Coryell County and neighboring regions, spreading the holiday spirit and fostering stronger community ties.
“Whatever we need to do to connect families, law enforcement, and kids, we’re all about it,” Beveridge said. “If we can bring back the Christmas spirit and create positive connections, we’re happy to help.”
As the holiday season continues, Operation: Bad Elf is likely to become a beloved tradition in the region, one that brings smiles to children’s faces and encourages trust, understanding, and kindness between local families and their law enforcement officers.
