Prince George's County Police Freeze Their Badges Off in Polar Bear Plunge

If a bone-chilling swim in the Chesapeake Bay’s sub 40-degree waters sounds like an ideal Friday afternoon, you would’ve been in good company with the Prince George’s County Police Department on Jan. 23.

Not even police training could prepare county officers for the frigid Chesapeake Bay during the 19th annual Polar Bear Plunge, an event that raises money for the Maryland Special Olympics.

The Chesapeake Bay’s waters run a chilly 38 degrees fahrenheit this time of year, according to surface water temperature measurements from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, so it’s hard to blame the officers whose plunge stopped at the toes.

Watch as Maryland State Police dive in -- and run out -- of their Polar Bear Plunge in the Chesapeake Bay:

Law enforcement officers across Maryland will participate in the plunge, which continues as “PlungeFest 2015” on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. The day-long celebration will feature live music, kids activities, food and -- of course -- more plunges.

Both Friday and Saturday’s events benefit Special Olympics Maryland, a nonprofit that provides athletic training and competitions for children and adults with disabilities.

Special Olympics Maryland will send six of its top athletes to compete in the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles. One of these competitors is Prince George’s own Abby Reznik, who will represent Maryland at the World Games’ swimming meet.

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Photo via Prince George’s County Police Department’s Twitter; video via Plunge Maryland Facebook