The University Police Department has temporarily suspended
its typical grooming standards through Jan. 2, allowing officers to grow
goatees during that time period.
The officers who choose to participate are each donating $50
to the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY.
The University Police department will donate more than
$1,000 to the charity, which provides youth, senior and housing services in Buffalo.
“I think it’s a good idea as a charitable fundraiser,” Chief
of Police Peter Carey said, sporting a goatee of his own. “It’s something
different for the officers to be able to do within our grooming standards while
still maintaining a professional appearance. And it personalizes us to the
community.”
Other local police departments have participated in similar
fundraisers in the past, and Carey said his officers wanted to start one of
their own at Buffalo State.
“This same thing was done by the Town of Tonawanda police
department earlier this year,” Carey said. "The officers in our department saw that
and asked if they could do a similar program.”
Twenty three officers have
signed up for the fundraiser so far. By Chris Dierken and Leif Reigstad
