LAW Enforcement Officers, through their all-island Rorch Run, yesterday handed over a cheque for $1.6m for Special Olympics Jamaica to send four mentally challenged athletes to the Latin American Games in Puerto Rico, February 18-27.

The donation will help the organisation, led by dynamic executive director Lorna Bell, to kick off their programme for the 2011 Games in Greece.

Acting Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, ACP John McLean of Community, Safety and Security, along with SSP Iris McCalla Gordon, were at the handing over function at the Office of the Commissioner, Old Hope Road yesterday.

Ellilngton gave his full backing and that of his office to the athletes and Special Olympics Jamaica.

Said Bell: “The law enforcement officers have been on board for over 25 years and all that this programme has achieved is because of you.”

She said the officers have brought sustainability to the programme. Special Olympics Jamaica served 3,840 athletes in all 14 parishes.

Andrew Bartholomew, Nicholas McBean, Crystal Knight and Racquel Lovindeer will compete in swimming, with Beulah Bartholomew serving as head coach and Yvonne McBean as coach.

Bell made a special appeal to the commissioner and SSP McCalla for one of Jamaica’s officers to attend the International Law Enforcement Conference in California this year.

These officers, she noted, have been the backbone of commitment to Special Olympians, and encouraged “even bidding to host this International Law Enforcement Conference. Just imagine 2,000 officers from around the world here in Jamaica,” he pointed out.

Looking beyond the Latin American Games, Bell said Special Olympics Jamaica will need $11 million to send a full team to the Special Olympics Summer Games in 18 months.