Several members of Dowagiac’s finest may appear more gruff than usual this month, based on the amount of hair sprouting from their chins.

Around a dozen officers with the Dowagiac Police Department are participating in a “no shave November” contest, growing out their facial hair to determine who ends up with the most impressive beard by month’s end. The department plans on hosting a public vote to determine the winner, who will receive a still-to-be-determined prize, said Dowagiac Director of Public Safety Steve Grinnewald.

Dan Wiggins, an officer with the department, came up with the idea of having a “no shave” month last year, though the department did not get a chance to get the ball rolling on the event until this year, Grinnewald said.

In order to participate, officers had to pay a $25 “permit” fee. Wiggins also proposed to have proceeds of the contest go toward Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, an area organization that supports victims and families in Cass and Van Buren counties.

“It is something fun for the officers to do, as we normally have policies against officers growing out their facial hair,” Grinnewald said. “This allows them to do that, while raising awareness for something we deal with on a regular basis.”

So far, 10 officers — including Grinnewald and Deputy Chief Jarrid Bradford — have signed up to participate, though several more are expected to join in, Grinnewald said.

“I am sure a lot of them will begin to look like Grizzly Adams by month’s end,” Grinnewald said.

At the end of the month, photos will be taken of each officer for judging. While Grinnewald and other officers are still working out the judging process, it will likely include input from the public, with people donating money in order to vote for the officer of their choosing, Grinnewald said.

The prize for the winning officer is also still up in the air, though the police chief said it will likely be some kind of trophy that will be passed down to winners of future contests.

While a light-hearted affair, the contest is designed to raise awareness of domestic abuse, a crime Dowagiac officers deal with on a common basis, Grinnewald said. The fact officers chose to donate to DASAS is particularly meaningful to Grinnewald, as he is a member of the organization’s board of directors, he said.

“I am proud of our officers for recognizing the problem and picking this organization to give back to,” he said.