WESTFIELD, Ind. -- The next time you’re in Westfield, if you notice a police officer looking a little scruffy while in uniform, it’s not for a lack of hygiene.
Officers at the Westfield Police Department are growing out their beards as part of No-Shave November, the movement aimed at growing cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention, research, and education.
No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness.
To abandon their razors, employees must donate a minimum of $30 to the fund during the month of November. Chief Joel Rush said that such grooming standards are strictly regulated by department policy but will be somewhat relaxed in support of the program.
Female employees are wearing pins or ribbons on their uniforms to show their support. It is each individual officer’s goal to raise an additional $70 in donations, with a total goal of the department to raise $2500.
All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society, via the city of Westfield’s Relay For Life team, Shamrockin’ for a Cure. “We hope everyone takes the opportunity to engage our officers in conversation about this cause and spread awareness,” Chief Rush said.
All department employees will return to the department’s normal grooming policies on December 1st, 2017.
