Campus Police Officers Hit the Road for Special Olympics

The Merced County portion of the 2016 Law Enforcement Torch Run made its way to the UC Merced campus yesterday.

This is the fifth year that UC Merced police officers and staff members have run in the event to raise awareness for the Special Olympics.

“It’s an honor for our law enforcement officers to carry the flame — a symbol of hope for our Special Olympics athletes,” Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus and Public Safety and Chief of Police Albert Vasquez said. “Since we became involved in 2012, the run has gained increasing visibility in Merced County, and we look forward to many more years of participation.”

Local law enforcement officers and fire fighters, including members of the UC Merced, Atwater, Merced and Livingston police departments, CalFire and the California Highway Patrol, carried the torch 16 miles from the campus through Merced and Atwater, concluding at the Livingston Police Department.

Earlier this spring, the UC Merced Police Department partnered with Save Mart in Merced and raised $1,428 for the Special Olympics.

More than 800 athletes are expected to compete in the 2016 Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games, June 24 through 26 on the UC Davis campus.