Police Wear Pink

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

CLAREMORE, OK -- The Claremore Police Department has added something unusual to its uniforms this week. It's so unusual, the officers expect to get teased, ribbed, even made fun of, but that doesn't bother them a bit.

The officers are wearing ball caps this week, but not your ordinary, manly caps, no; the ones they're wearing are bright pink and really stand out against the dark green police uniforms.

They have their chief to blame, because this is all his idea.

A quick tour through the Claremore police office and you can see dispatchers, officers and staff wearing the bright pink ball caps.

Each one of the 55 employees has agreed to wear them for one week as part of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"I'm proud of our men and women for this effort. It shows they'll go a step above and beyond what you normally see as police officers. Will we get made fun of? Probably, but, will it attract positive attention?  Sure it will," said CPD Asst. Chief Stan Brown.

Chief Mickey Perry came up with the idea and when he first shared it, some people laughed, others, frowned, but all came around and agreed this would be a great way to use their visibility in the community.

The hats were paid for by Bobby Girten with U.S. Cellular and are certainly conversation starters. Even people pulled over for a traffic offense, have to ask.

"We're wearing the pink hat for cancer awareness," said CPD Officer Doug Woodward.

"OK," said the driver.

"The police department is supporting breast cancer research," said Officer Woodward.

"OK," said the driver.

The officers hope women will be inclined to get screened, since early detection is the best chance for survival. The officers are not asking for donations, but are giving out information about breast cancer research.

"As a matter of fact, we're handing out these cards, so if anyone feels led to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation," said Officer Woodward.

"My wife is really into this, so she may, she may," said one citizen.

The officers plan to donate their hats to breast cancer survivors at the end of the week.

Chief Perry says he hopes other departments will join in and do the pink hat campaign next year.