WESTFIELD, Ind. -- If you happen upon a Westfield police officer during the month of October, you may notice them wearing a pink badge instead of one that is silver and gold.
It's their way of showing support for women in the community during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sgt. Billy Adams, who is captain of the City of Westfield's Relay for Life team, says he was trying to come up with a new way to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.
Two years ago, the department began participating in "No Shave November". The goal of that campaign is to grow awareness by embracing their hair, which many cancer patients lose, and grow out their facial hair.
Sgt. Adams wanted to find a way to support women in the community and find something female officers could participate in as well.
He said he was looking for something that would make a statement and create conversation. Sgt. Adams started researching the pink badge idea and found that other agencies in other states have done it.
The badges are custom ordered from a company that makes public safety badges. They are real metal badges covered in pink enamel.
Westfield officers wearing the pink badges have chosen to pay for them with their own money to support breast cancer awareness.
"As a department, our officers come in contact and/or are seen out in the public by thousands of citizens each day. If even one of those citizens is prompted to go get a screening because of this campaign, then that's a success," said Sgt. Adams.
In addition to raising awareness, donations will also be accepted.
All funds received will go the City of Westfield's Relay for Life team.
Checks can be made out to the American Cancer Society and dropped off at the Westfield Police Department.
Sgt. Adams says their goal is to raise $1,000.
If you were wondering, the color of the badge doesn't affect whether it's legal. Sgt. Adams says a badge is just an identifying symbol. Westfield officers will still be in full uniform and have ID cards to help identify themselves to the public.
If you should ever question whether the person you are dealing with is a sworn officer, you can always ask for additional information.
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