Officers with the Dowagiac Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office will be giving the phrase “the fuzz” a whole new meaning this month.

Members of the local law enforcement agencies will be participating in “No Shave November” this month. From now through Nov. 30, officers who pay a “fee” to their respective departments will be allowed to grow out their facial hair, with the collected payments being donated to a pair of local nonprofits and charities.

Normally, the only facial hair law enforcement officers may grow are mustaches, which cannot grow past the corners of the mouth. However, in recent years, police agencies across the country have begun participating in the national “No Shave November” movement, where men are encouraged to let their inner caveman loose and grow out their beards, sideburns and mustaches to their heart’s content in order to raise awareness for cancer and other causes.

Last year, Dowagiac Director of Public Safety Steven Grinnewald allowed the department to temporarily holster their razors and join in the action, after several years of requests by his officers, Grinnewald said. Officers could participate in the contest by paying a $25 “permit fee,” which was donated to Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, an area nonprofit that provides shelter, counseling and other services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Given the success of last year’s beard-a-thon — the department managed to raise more than $500 — Grinnewald decided to let them join in the fun again this year, with this year’s proceedings going toward C. Wimberley Automotive’s annual Feed the Hungry holiday food drive campaign.

“Some of our guys have already started, and are looking a little shaggy already,” Grinnewald said. “They seem to get a real kick out of it.”

Like last year, the recipient of the donation will select which officer grew the most impressive beard, and will receive a trophy signifying their great accomplishment. Last year’s winner was Jerid Ostrom, who said he is feeling confident about his chances of retaining his title this year.

“He is already walking around the department proclaiming the trophy will be coming home with him again, but a few guys are really gunning for him, so we will see how it goes,” Grinnewald said.

Inspired by the glorious facial hair of their fellow peacekeepers last November, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office asked Sheriff Richard Behnke if they could participate this year. After doing some research into the matter, Behnke agreed, allowing any deputy, corrections officer, animal control officer, dispatcher or courthouse security officer to grow out their facial hair if they pay a $50 fee.

The officers decided to donate the money generated through the month to DASAS. Right now, around 17 members of the sheriff’s office have committed to participating, including Behnke himself, he said.

“It’s a great morale booster,” Behnke said. “The deputies and other officers get to have a little fun, and we’re helping the community by donating to DASAS, which helps out so many victims of these types of crimes.”

Female officers with the department will have a chance to participate as well, by dying their hair, the sheriff said.

Although the sheriff’s office “no shave” event is merely for fun at this point, Behnke said he has not ruled out the possibility of having their own internal competition, or possibly pitting their bushiest deputy against Dowagiac’s champion to settle who is the hairiest lawman in Cass County.

Those interested in making a donation to DASAS this month may contact Donna Dominiak with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 445-1201.