Atascadero Police grow beards to help fight prostate cancer 

Commander Joe Allen of the Atascadero PD in his office, with goatee (photo Jordan Elgrably)

Atascadero PD officers get chief’s green light to grow facial hair

— November is a “no shave” month for some of the police officers and firemen in Atascadero, but it’s all for a great cause. Chief Jerel Haley has authorized his staff to grow beards and mustaches until Nov. 30th, when it will be time to return to the Mr. Clean look.

According to the charity web site, No-Shave November is “a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness. Learn more about how you can get involved and start getting hairy!”

Commander Joe Allen has grown a goatee for the first time in his 21 years with the Atascadero Police Department. He says he’ll be chipping in his own donation to help fight prostate cancer, while the Atascadero Police Association will be donating $1,000 to the cause.