The Naperville Police Department is always concerned with public safety, but this month they’re also focusing on public health by taking part in Movember.
“This program we’re starting to promote awareness on certain men’s health issues,” said Chief of Police Robert Marshall. “It’s a good way to raise money and create awareness on certain men’s health issues. So for the month of November we’re suspending our policy which prohibits beards.”
NPD employees who want to participate will need to donate $50 to the Movember Foundation, which raises money and awareness for men’s health issues.
The department raised more than $3,000 before the month even started and hopes to continue to build that number by the end of the month.
And officers are taking advantage of the rare opportunity to show off their scruff.
“Most of us have wanted a beard probably in the last 15 or 10 years at least and the policy says we can’t have it so it’s our chance to give it a shot and see what it looks like,” said Officer Robert Carlson. “I think it’s going to be a lot more silver than black.”
If you’d like to donate to the police department’s fundraiser, you can find their webpage at their Movember profile.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
