Cropped cops

Police and fire commanders will go head-to-head in a charity challenge in Palmerston North tomorrow.

Superintendent Russell Gibson, who is the District Commander for Central District Police, threw down the gauntlet to Mitchell Brown, Area Commander for the Manawatu Area of the New Zealand Fire Service and the pair will join 19 other local police officers to have their heads shaved in support of CanTeen.

CanTeen is the New Zealand organisation supporting young people living with cancer though a national peer support network, professional education and recreational programmes.

Mitchell says he is looking forward to taking up Russell's challenge and joining him for a public display of support for this very worthy cause.

Mitchell lost his father to cancer in 2000 and Russell lost both of his parents, his father-in-law and a number of close friends to the disease.

"In the Police we believe in taking challenges head-on! If there is anything I can do that goes some way to relieving the suffering then I am more than happy to be a part of it," said Russell.

The public are encouraged to come along and show their support for the challenge which will take place at 1pm in The Square, Palmerston North.

The other officers taking part are: Senior Sergeant Brett Calkin, Detective Sergeants Simon Harrison and Ash Gurney, Sergeants Mike Yates, Darren Paki and Phil Ward, Detectives Nick Lawton, Konrad Tamati, James Bugg, Laurie Howell and Nigel Affleck and Constables Sue Gregory, Warwick Denby, Mike Linton, Jason Turner, Ross Andrew, Scott Mcliesh, Matt McFlynn and David Schmidt.

They can also be sponsored online via the Give a Little website  -  www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/cropppedcops