Things at the Turlock Police Department are looking a little blue and, well, a little hairy.

The Turlock Associated Police Officers are leaving their razors by the wayside for the month of November as they embark on a campaign to raise awareness of men’s health issues, in particular testicular and prostate cancers.

“Many of our members, including myself, have a personal connection to this issue,” said Russell Holeman, president of TAPO.  “We were moved by the Fire Department’s efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer, and since many of us have family members who have struggled with prostate and testicular cancer, we decided to get involved by participating in Movember.”

Testicular and prostate cancers are the first and second most common cancers among men in the United States.  The Movember Foundation is the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health. The foundation challenges men — or as they refer to them, Mo Bros — to grow moustaches during November to spark conversation and raise funds for cancer and mental health problems.

The foundation started in 2003 in Australia with 30 participants and since then more than 4 million people worldwide have participated in Movember, raising over $559 million for cancer research.

The foundation urges women, also called Mo Sistas, to recruit more men to participate and to encourage the men in their life to take action on their health.

TAPO officers will participate by growing new moustaches, and use the opportunity to raise awareness of men’s health when asked about their new facial adornments.

TAPO will also be raising money by selling TAPO Movember T-shirts online at http://mkt.com/turlock-associated-police-officers/movember-t-shirt and in person at the Turlock Police Department headquarters, Turlock High School Football games and booths set up at various locations throughout Turlock. The shirts will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Safeway at 3051 Countryside Drive. The T-shirts cost $15.