Durangoans might notice something different about the city’s police officers this month: an assortment of fresh beards (or best tries).
Durango Police Department officers are celebrating No Shave November this year with a best beard competition and fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
It’s the first opportunity DPD personnel have had to sport scruff since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, when beards were not allowed in case they interfered with the effectiveness of the masks. Officers are excited to support local Special Olympics athletes – and to toss the razor, said Sgt. William Sweetwood.
“It’s a great event,” Sweetwood said. “It’s just a great way for us to give back to those types of charities.”
Officers will grow their beards to the best of their ability throughout the month in an effort to win awards for best beard, worst beard and best try. Female officers can wear a blue streak in their hair, according to a DPD social media post.
In order to compete, officers need to donate $50, and all proceeds will go toward the local Special Olympics. In past years, the fundraiser has raised more than $2,300 for the local athletes.
“The athletes always amaze us, but what fails to amaze are some of the beards our officers try to grow,” the post said.
The national No Shave November aims to raise cancer awareness by “embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free,” according to NoShave.org.
The DPD officers will be allowed to let their beards flow free full-time again in December – almost, there are some restrictions, Sweetwood said.
“I’m just happy (the chief) is letting me grow a beard again,” he said.
