 epresentatives from the IACP and Special Olympics International met in September to judge the entries of the Third Annual IACP Torch Run Photo Contest. From a pool of more than 225 images from more than 55 contributing programs, the top three winners were selected from each of two categories: law enforcement as the guardians of the flame, and law enforcement interacting with the Special Olympics athletes. Each year, this contest is a reminder of the immeasurable benefits this program offers to both the participating officers and the community they serve. Thank you to all the agencies that participated this year – the choices were difficult to make.The 2003 judging panel consisted of Tim Shriver, chairman, Special Olympics; Diana Roday Hossord, creative director, Special Olympics; Heather Matthews, Torch Run specialist, Special Olympics; Frankie Dashnow, Special Olympics athlete; Dan Rosenblatt, executive director, IACP; Paul Santiago, director of International Activities, IACP; Vincent Talucci, project director, Volunteers in Police Service, IACP; and Elisa Cohen, liaison to Torch Run Committee, IACP. In 2002 this international initiative raised more than $20 million for Special Olympics. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers around the world carried the Flame of Hope across 35 nations, raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics. For more information on the Torch Run Program, contact the chair of the IACP Torch Run Committee, Lorne White, at oletre@aol.com, or visit the Torch Run section of the Special Olympics Web site at www.specialolympics.org. ♦ Winners in Category A: Law enforcement as the guardians of the flame—personnel carrying the torch, interacting with communities, raising funds and awareness of the events, and so on  | | First Place: Dothan Police Dept., Dothan, Alabama |
|  | | Second Place: Special Olympics Virginia, Richmond, VA |
|  | | Third Place: United States Capitol Police, Washington, D.C. |
|
Winners in Category B: Law enforcement in support of the Special Olympics athletes themselves—personnel interacting with the athletes
 | | First Place: Northern California Law Enforcement Torch Run, Pleasant Hill, CA |
 | | Second Place: Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run, Normal, IL |
|  | | Third Place: United States Capitol Police, Washington, D.C. |
|
|
From The Police Chief, vol. 71, no. 1, January 2004. Copyright held by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, 515 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. |
