ROCKLAND – “If NFL players can wear pink, then I guess we can put a pink plate on,” said Deputy Matthew Elwell, of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

On Monday morning, Oct. 1, the usually dark license plates of 20 KCSO cruisers switched over to cotton-candy pink for the month of October.

At the end of the month, one plate in each of the 20 sets will be signed by deputies and auctioned off, with proceeds designated to the Maine Cancer Foundation.

The intent of the fundraiser by the Knox County branch of the Fraternal Order of Police, a union of law enforcement agents, is not specific to any one cancer type, according to Elwell, president of FOP’s Lodge 700.

It happens to be, however, that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And, as Deputy Chief Tim Carroll pointed out, pink is a highly-recognized emblem for the disease.

In the past, the union, which Carroll and Lt. Patrick Polky are associated but not direct members of, has donated money to various charities. This year, Deputy Arthur Smith suggested the license plate idea, according to Elwell.

With approval from Sheriff Dennison, the FOP bought the 40 plates as their donation.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Elwell said. “Everyone knows somebody whose been affected by some sort of cancer in their lives.

“It’s a great way for us to be able to raise awareness, and maybe raise a little money to help to process.”

A Maine government press release, issued Oct. 1, said, “Today, there are 25,002 of these "pink ribbon" plates on the road, which have raised $3,141,385, with more than $2,950,047 going to the Breast Cancer Support Services Fund over the past 10 years.”

In the past, FOP has used portions of their monthly union dues to support injured officers, as well as other outlets.

“[the plates project] is a different way to use that money that we have set aside for something good,” he said.

Though other law enforcement agencies have worn bits of pink in the past, this is the first year that KCSO have displayed pink. Therefore, deputies are curious as to the public’s reaction as uniformed agents step from black vehicles with pink tags. 

“They definitely stand out,” said Elwell, who’d attached his plates first thing in the morning. “On a black vehicle, you can definitely see the pink.”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com