Round Lake police join Pink Patch Project
Round Lake police have joined two suburban law-enforcement agencies in a pink uniform patch initiative to support breast cancer research and raise awareness of the disease.
Founded by members of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association in 2016, the Pink Patch Project has expanded to at least 96 law-enforcement agencies in 13 states for this year. Round Lake this week became the third Illinois police department to link with the Pink Patch Project, joining Carpentersville and Palos Park.
"We are always looking for projects that we can do that help add value to our residents' lives," Round Lake Police Chief Michael Gillette said Friday.
Round Lake police are selling special pink versions of the department's uniform patches for $10. By the end of this month, Gillette said, Round Lake police expect to select a Lake County breast cancer support foundation as a financial beneficiary of the Pink Patch Project's sales.
Last year, the Pink Patch Project raised $320,000 through 25 southern California police departments for breast cancer awareness, research or support foundations, organizers said.
Police officers at participating agencies will have an opportunity to wear the commemorative pink patches, which can serve as conversation starters with the public about breast cancer. Most of the officers wore the patches on their regular uniforms throughout last October to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"Over the past couple years, we began to realize that most members of our department know of residents, family and friends who are victims, or survivors, of breast cancer," Gillette said. "We learned about the Pink Patch Project and thought this was something that we can do as a way to help our community and help raise awareness (of) the disease."