Officers in the Plain City Police Department are wearing pink shirts to raise awareness, and hopefully funds, for breast cancer research and domestic violence awareness. Above, officer Josh Hirtzinger, along with village canine officer Andor, are shown on a walking patrol.
(Photo submitted)
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They say that real men wear pink, and a local law enforcement agency is proving it.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month and the Plain City Police Department is wearing pink shirts with purple ribbons to bring awareness to both issues.
“These two issues affect a great number of people who courageously face these challenges and battle to survive,” Police Chief Dale McKee said.
Many people wear pink ribbons, but the chief said he wanted to go bigger.
“I wanted to make a really bold statement so I wanted to wear pink shirts,” McKee said.
The police department has been active in awareness for several years, with officers participating in “No Shave November” to bring awareness to men’s health issues.
Breast Cancer awareness recently became personal for the chief. He said his twin sister is a breast cancer survivor.
“I have seen her struggle and the hardships she went through as she fought,” McKee said.
He said he wants cancer survivors and those fighting to know they are not alone.
“Most of all, we want them to know that we care,” McKee said.
Plain City Mayor Darrin Lane said he is always proud of the village police department, but this is an effort that makes it especially so.
“I think this is just another way our police department goes above and beyond the call of duty to show the village that they care,” said Lane.
The chief said he took the idea to his officers.
“Of course, they were all for it,” he said, noting that he was also concerned about how the community would respond.
Officer Ryan Flowers said he has heard, “nothing but positives.”
McKee said he has not heard any negatives either. In fact, he said, “We have had numerous people tell us how much they love them.”
The chief said he was confident that day shift would be fine, but worried that when officers did bar checks at night or needed to respond to difficult situations after dark, the pink-clad officers might hear some jeers.
“When they walk into a bar or anyplace really, they have gotten a lot of support and what they’ve come to find out is that if someone says something to them, there are people that will stand up for them and defend the cause,” McKee said.
He explained that about one out of every eight women in America will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
“Given those numbers, it is probable that everyone in the village knows someone who has been affected by this,” said McKee.
The long-sleeve, collared polo shirts were purchased using the officers’ uniform allowances. McKee said officers will buy one less traditional blue shirt this year so the unique shirts didn’t cost the department any additional money.
Department officials have said they hope the village does more than just tell officers they like the shirt.
“We have partnered with the Stefanie Spielman Fund and the Ohio State University and we are encouraging the community to make donations that support breast cancer research and treatment,” McKee said.
Donations may be made at https://osu-support-my-event.everydayhero.com/us/team-pcpd.
Domestic Violence Awareness donations can be made to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network through its website at donatenow.networkforgood.org/ohiodomesticviolencenetwork.
“When you see our officers wearing these pink shirts with purple ribbons, please remember that we’re doing this to raise awareness and to encourage donations to support these causes,” McKee said.