Acton Police Continue "No Shave November" In December

ACTON, MA — Acton officers will keep their scruff for one more month as the department continues the "No Shave November" effort into December. This month, the department will raise money for the Domestic Violence Services Network.

Throughout November, officers who donated $100 to the Home Base No Shave fundraiser were allowed to forego departmental facial hair restrictions. The fundraiser supported Home Base’s mission to help veterans and their families heal from ailments such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

Acton officers decided to go the extra mile and extend their no-shave efforts through December and chose to donate the additional proceeds to the Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN). Officers who choose to donate an additional $100 each will be allowed to continue to sport facial hair through the end of the year.

DVSN works to support victims that are referred by local police departments, courts and hospitals that partner with the network, as well as those who call the help line. Advocates provide outreach, support and validation and encourage clients to tell their story, assess their risk, plan for safety and connect with appropriate community resources to receive help for them and their children.
All services provided to DVSN clients and their families are free.

According to DVSN Executive Director Jacquelin Apsler, from July 2018 through June 2019, DVSN followed up on over 170 domestic incidents reported to the Acton Police Department and worked with 276 Acton residents and their families who requested help from DVSN or were referred by a law enforcement partner.

DVSN also offers training to nearly 300 police officers and dispatchers from their 12 partner towns annually when grant money is available. The 40-hour advocate training helps attendees understand the dynamics of domestic violence. To date, 23 Acton officers and dispatchers have attended the DVSN advocate training, including Chief Burrows and much of the Acton Police command staff.

“Acton is fortunate to have such a forward-thinking, community-oriented police department to protect and serve its residents,” Apsler said. “The Acton Police Department has been on the forefront of innovative community policing initiatives and is one of the longest-serving leaders in the state in addressing domestic violence with compassion, trauma-informed responses and professionalism. Acton PD was one of the original founders of DVSN and has been a staunch, integral partner for over 20 years, working closely with DVSN to combat domestic violence. We're most grateful that the officers wanted to continue their no-shave campaign to benefit our organization.”

“Our officers respond to hundreds of domestic incidents during their careers and each situation is different and complex in its own way," Chief Burrows said. "The DVSN advocates training has helped us to understand what victims are going through, and, in turn, provide a better response for them. We’re fortunate to work with a local organization that does so much to help and support our residents who are in need, and I commend our officers for wanting to continue the no-shave campaign in support of DVSN.”