The first time I attended my first forensic interview, I was in awe of how kids were handled by the staff. The love, care and patience that was shown was incredible. A forensic interview happens when a child victim of abuse is interviewed by a trained professional who is looking to obtain facts or disclosures relating to the abuse. This interview happens in a comfortable setting, usually at a Child Advocacy Center, where the only people in the interview room are the professional and the child. Outside the interview room, watching and listening to live video of the interview, are a team of professionals to include Law Enforcement, Attorneys and advocates. This process is used in order to limit the number of times a child victim has to speak about, or tell their story, of abuse.

In 2016 my Chief sent an email encouraging us to participate in something called “Beards for Bucks.” I was psyched to not only grow a beard, but to be able to bring awareness and funds for the CAC. My only trepidation was being a guy in uniform asking for money. But knowing that the money raised would help the CAC immensely I decided to just explain to people what the CAC does and how the money impacts kids. And It worked. Whether they gave five dollars or a hundred dollars, people donated. Each year thereafter has only gotten better and the donations have increased.

The Beards for Bucks campaign is quite a novel idea.. Put out a challenge to a bunch of type-A, win-at-all-cost-cops, with the ultimate prize being donations going to help child abuse victims. Add to that the usual strict grooming regulations of police departments being relaxed for a month, and the campaign is set up to win.

We have a lot of fun competing against each other in this challenge. New Hampshire is a unique place for law enforcement. We all go to the same police academy. Small towns rely on mutual aid from larger departments and ultimately we gain good friends outside of our prospective agencies. Now you take that same group, put them in a competition, and the games, banter and social media warfare begins. These Type-A’s want bragging rights by being top dog for MOST FUNDS RAISED! The competition has only gotten better with each year. More taunting, more chest beating.. and more donations!

Please help me obtain my goal this year. No amount is too small. One hundred percent of the money goes to helping the kids. Thank you!