Torch Run Committee

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics This committee shall be responsible for overseeing the establishment and continuation of a program to raise money for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The committee shall explore ways and means to promote the program within the law enforcement community internationally while ensuring that the IACP's association with the program is professional.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is the Special Olympics movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. In 2011, dedicated law enforcement volunteers raised over US$43 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world and eclipsed US$415 million raised since the inception of the LETR.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas (USA) Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The LETR was quickly endorsed by Special Olympics, Inc. and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), now recognized as the Founding Law Enforcement Organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

More than 85,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 44 other countries contribute to LETR efforts annually as Guardians of the Flame®, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope™ to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and national/regional Games.

For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics, please contact Michael Teem at mteem@specialolympics.org.

Torch Run Directors and Liaisons:

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics 2012 Brochure

CategoriesSubmit photographs taken in the past five years in one of the following five categories:

Group – Photo of participants (law enforcement, athletes, Torch Run® participants) of a Torch Run® event as a group.
Police Officer and Athlete – Photo of law enforcement in support of the Special Olympics athletes themselves – personnel in interaction with athlete(s).
Guardians of the Flame® – Photo of law enforcement as the guardians of the Flame of Hope™ – law enforcement personnel carrying the torch, interacting with communities, and raising funds and awareness at events.
Spirit Award – Photos that capture the spirit of the Torch Run® in a unique way.
Professional – Photographs taken by an individual of a Torch Run® event where the photographer receives compensation or payment.

Individuals from a panel representing Special Olympics Athletes, the I.A.C.P., Torch Run volunteers, and Special Olympians will judge the photos. The panel will select the top three photos in each category.

Prizes: The Torch Run committee will display the winning photos at I.A.C.P.’s 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California and at the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run® International Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. First place photos in each category are enlarged and awarded to the contributing programs.