Maitland Police Department gets scruffy

It’s become a national trend around the country, and the Maitland Police Department is looking to get involved.

Every November, men around the United States will grow out their beards, mustaches and sideburns as a fun means to raise cancer awareness and help raise money that goes toward cancer charities and other causes.

It’s called No Shave November, and the department is jumping into the fray for the first time by growing out their beards and mustaches — despite rules regarding officers and facial hair.

“They’re very excited about it — especially the people that can grow it in. … Of course, they are going to keep it trimmed and professional looking — we don’t want them coming to work … (in) kind of a Duck Dynasty or ZZ Top style.”

 

— Public Information 

Officer Lt. Louis Grindle

 

“It’s something that is pretty well known, and in the past we really have not done anything — because as our policy is set, we have a pretty strict policy on facial hair, so no one really has any,” said Public Information Officer Lt. Louis Grindle. “Chief (David Manuel) thought it would be a good way to raise awareness and for the police to become involved, and then at the same time let officers do something that is a little off the beaten path that we normally don’t do here.”

The department started Nov. 4, and the plan is to run with it until Dec. 4. Although No Shave November takes place throughout the entire month of November, the department had to start a bit late because it had an award ceremony Saturday. 

The idea to participate in No Shave November came up a couple of months ago, when a few officers were discussing about possibly doing the event. Since its founding in 2009 by the Hill Family in suburban Chicago, the online based nonprofit No Shave November has raised awareness and funding for cancer research as part of the overall tradition known as Movember — a movement focused on men’s health.

For the department’s first year participating, Manuel chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & Northern Florida. With a minimum donation of $25 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Maitland, officers will be able to grow out their mustaches and beards however they like — although they will still have to be properly trimmed up, Grindle said.

“They’re very excited about it — especially the people that can grow it in,” Grindle said. “You have some people who just can’t grow facial hair, and then you have some that can definitely grow a good-sized beard. Of course, they are going to keep it trimmed and professional looking — we don’t want them coming to work … (in) kind of a Duck Dynasty or ZZ Top style.”