Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 20/01) - Henry Larsen's Hold, the RCMP's cozy third-floor watering hole, is an unlikely place to find a hair salon.
Tranquil oasis to the beefy men and wiry women who patrol the streets of Yellowknife, the only things it has to lend to haute couture are a sink and hand-held dish rinser behind the bar.
And yet, there were Const. Maria McManus and Cpl. Ken Morrison, working bottles of Nice and Easy No. 87 into their scalps.
The pair went blonde Friday, according to McManus, to raise awareness in the battle against cancer.
All told, five officers lightened up, entertaining a delighted crowd of police onlookers. Another 11 cops did the same thing in Inuvik last week.
McManus says she and many of her colleagues have lost loved ones to cancer.
That's made the police formidable fund-raisers for the Canadian Cancer Society. McManus says some of the officers are so intent on securing pledges for their new 'dos, they have to be reined in.
"I've had to tell a member to stop being so aggressive," when approaching people for money, she explains.
Another batch of officers, civilians and about a dozen air cadets will take it to the next level during Friday's Raven Mad Daze. Last year, police raised $27,000 in the Cops for Cancer shearing.
"It's a way to support those who have cancer," says McManus.
The mass blonding of Northern police has reached the highest echelons of the Yellowknife detachment.
Reached at his office Monday morning, Sgt. Al McCambridge, confirmed that he too, was now the proud owner of a head full of Nice and Easy No. 87.
Asked if he had discovered whether in fact blondes do indeed have more fun, McCambridge used his all-time favourite line.
"No comment."
