Police Department plans to go pink

Willowick residents may notice something different about the city’s police officers in October.

That’s because the department plans to go pink. Officers will be replacing the official department patch normally worn on their uniform sleeve with a pink one to show support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Police Chief Brian Turner came up with the idea after seeing something similar when he attended a conference last year in Philadelphia.

Turner, who lost his aunt Madeline Turner to breast cancer in 2016, thought this would be a way to honor her and for the department to show their support.

He was a bit hesitant about approaching the officers in his department with the idea because he wasn’t sure what the men’s response to pink

patches would be.

When he found out the wife of one his officers was diagnosed with treatable breast cancer earlier this year, he took it as a sign that the department should sport the pink patches.

Turner said he spoke with the officer, Mark Guerrieri and wife Theresa, and they both were onboard with the idea. He also received a positive response from the officers.

Once the chief decided to move forward, they had to obtain the patches. The city could not purchase them because they aren’t regular uniform patches and the chief wanted to make them available to the public for sale as well.

“The union graciously donated the money to buy 300 patches,” Turner said. “Atwells, at no cost, will patch a shirt or two for the officers and the remainder of the patches will be made available to the public for purchase.”

There are about 200 to 225 available for purchase at $10 a piece, and all proceeds will go to The Gathering Place , a cancer support center.

“We are not going to get a ton of money, maybe $2,000 to $2,500 if all the patches sell,” Turner said. “I have a feeling this will be well received by the public and people will show their support.

Patches can only be purchase at the Dispatch Center at the Willowick Police Department, 30435 Lakeshore Blvd., and preferred method of payment is cash. Donations for The Gathering Place can also be made for those interested in supporting the cause but do not want a patch.

Turner intends for the department to continue to wear the pink patches every October, but the patches will only be available to the public until the current supply is gone.

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD Willowick Police Department plans to go pink during October. Officers will replace their regular department patch with a pink one in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month