After a month of growing and grooming, two Dowagiac police officers are asking the public to decide who sprouted the best beard last month, to determine whether the winner is selected in a landslide or by a hair.

People are asked to cast their vote for one of two finalists — veteran officer Jerid Ostrom or the department’s K-9, Tole — in the Dowagiac Police Department’s “no shave November” contest online at the Domestic and Sexual Assault Services website, dasasmi.org, or in person at Dowagiac City Hall, located at 241 S. Front St. In order to vote, people are asked to make a contribution to DASAS, an organization that provides relief and support to local victims and families affected by domestic or sexual violence.

“People can give a small donation — whatever they feel is necessary,” said Dowagiac Director of Public Safety Steve Grinnewald.

The contest — devised by officer Dan Wiggins — took place last month as a creative way for members of the department to raise money for the local support organization. Fourteen officers with the department, including Chief Grinnewald and Deputy Chief Jarrid Bradford, signed up to participate, paying a $25 “permit” fee that will go toward DASAS, Grinnewald said.

“It was something for us to have some fun with, but at the same time, it shows we are on board with dealing with this problem,” Grinnewald said. “We may never be able to stop domestic violence, but we can do our best to try.”

After spending the last several weeks growing out their facial hair (something that is normally forbidden by the department), the officers had photos of their beards sent to Kim Kramer, executive director of DASAS, who selected officer Ostrom as a finalist in the contest.

“They [the officers] loved it, and really took off with it,” the chief said. “I took the brunt of their ribbing because I was not able to grow much of anything.”

Unbeknownst to him, though, was that a surprise participant had thrown his hat into the ring.

Grinnewald also submitted a photo of 3-year-old German Shepard Tole, who — possibly through the magic of photo editing software — had grown a rich grey beard of his own, punching his ticket as a finalist.

So far, the department has raised $425 in donations in DASAS, through the beard permit fees as well as a $75 check from a local resident who was impressed by the reason behind the contest, Grinnewald said.

Regardless of who wins the public vote, Ostrom will receive a trophy for his beard, which will be given to future winners of the contest, the chief said. Tole, on the other hand, will receive some treats for his participation.