12 Valley police departments to participate in Pink Patch Project
Oct 1, 2019, 2:50 PM | Updated: Oct 2, 2019, 8:46 am
(Facebook Photo/Buckeye Police Department)
PHOENIX — Twelve Valley police departments will participate in an initiative this month to raise awareness and funding for those battling breast cancer.
Cassie Gaarder, a communications specialist with the Glendale Police Department, said about 250 officers from their department are participating in the Pink Patch Project throughout October in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Gaarder said officers from about 390 departments nationwide will wear the patches during the month.
“We want to get that word out there that everyone is affected and make it an approachable situation for officers,” Gaarder told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday. “We want to get that dialogue started that everyone is in this together.”
The Buckeye Police Department announced last week in a press release that it would also take part in the initiative.
Community members can purchase the limited edition pink patch for $10 at the front counter of the police department.
Proceeds from the patch purchases will go to the Pink Patch Project and its partner, City of Hope.
The collaborative effort between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association and public safety agencies throughout the country started in 2015.
Buckeye police has raised more than $6,000 through the initiative over the past two years, according to the release.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.