By Jessica Reynolds
The Daily Star
ONEONTA, NY — Things are getting hairy at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department.
For the first time, the agency’s employees are allowed to grow facial hair, officials said Monday. But the new policy is only temporary.
After receiving the go-ahead from their boss, Sheriff Richard Devlin, Jr., a handful of deputies, corrections officers and other personnel at the Cooperstown facility have sprouted beards and goatees for a good cause, they said.
Devlin relaxed the agency’s strict, longstanding policy and procedures regarding grooming on Nov. 1 so that personnel can participate in “No Shave November,” a web-based charity campaign that aims to raise funds for cancer research and education efforts, he said.
The national campaign, which was launched in 2009, has raised more than $2 million dollars, according to its website. The rules? Put down the razor for 30 days and donate any monthly hair-maintenance expenses to the cause. All proceeds go toward the American Cancer Society.
As of Monday, the sheriff’s employees had raised $820 toward a goal of $1,500, according to their fundraising website. The amount they raise will be matched by their union, they said.
Several employees said Monday that No Shave November is a breath of fresh air.
“I’ve worked here 18 years and have never been allowed to have facial hair,” said Leigh Prostak, an Otsego County corrections officer who is participating in the challenge. “It’s kind of nice. People who see me are in shock though. They’re asking me if I still work here because they’re not used to seeing me with it.”
Eric Sheldon, another corrections officer and No Shave November participant, said he has received “a lot of compliments so far.”
“People probably think I’m on vacation,” he laughed.
Other employees are saying it’s particularly nice to be able to grow facial hair since it’s hunting season, Devlin said. The county employs 45 corrections officers and 18 deputies, he said.
Even though employees are being allowed to grow beards and goatees, they are required to keep them “trimmed and neat,” Devlin stressed.
“At no time (can facial hair) be longer than one inch when extended straight out from the skin surface,” he said.
At first, Devlin was skeptical of the challenge, he admitted.
“Our union approached me about possibly doing it,” Devlin said. “It’s unusual for police officers to have beards because we are a professional organization and like to maintain a professional appearance at all times. So it took some thinking to decide whether we should actually do it. But it’s for a very good cause, so anything we can do to raise awareness and funds is a positive.”
Ultimately, Devlin approved participation in the campaign because, “our Sheriff’s Office family has been touched on too many occasions by” cancer, he said. He gave money toward the effort but won’t be participating in the challenge, he added.
“I’m not going to be growing any facial hair,” Devlin laughed. “I’m not even sure I could grow anything.”