BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MEMBERS of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) have embarked on an initiative to raise funds for the Special Olympics and would be serving the people of the Federation in a different capacity.
Police Officers would be taking up the duties of waiters at a number of restaurants across the Federation in an effort to raise funds for the Special Olympics Games to be held at the Silver Jubilee Stadium next month.
This media house spoke with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the RSCNPF, Inspector Lyndon David, who gave details of this initiative.
"Today (Apr. 12) the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force that has a Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee (LETRC), which is a major fundraising body for Special Olympics here in St. Kitts and Nevis and throughout the world, is currently carrying out one of our fundraisers called Tip-a-Cop."
David explained that Tip-a-Cop is where the LETRC partners with different restaurants in the communities.
He noted that a number of Police Officers, dressed in uniform and civilian clothes, would go to these restaurants and perform the duties of waiters for a number of hours and the tips gained would be put towards the Special Olympics.
He also explained that the LETRC approached the restaurants, four so far, and they quickly jumped on board. He said that six officers took up duties at two of the restaurants today - Ballahoo and Circus Grill.
The other two restaurants are Twist and Sweet Lime at Porte Zante in Basseterre.
The PRO disclosed that this project is also a part of the Force's Community Policing initiative.
"These persons with special needs still need that attention, and Law Enforcement is just one of the bodies that really can draw that attention...and that are why we are here today," he said.
He revealed that on May 25 and 26 the Local Special Olympics would be having their Games and the funds raised from the police waiters would be going towards that event.
He further revealed that the Police Force has other fundraising ideas that would be put into action soon.
David explained that the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest grassroots fundraising programme benefitting Special Olympics.
He said it began in 1981 and is the brainchild of the then Wichita , Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon who saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics.
David stated that, at that time, the idea was to provide local law enforcement officers with an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics in the communities where they lived and worked.
He also stated that after it was successfully ran for three years in Kansas, LaMunyon presented his idea to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which endorsed Special Olympics as its official charity through the Torch Run.
“Today,” he added, “all the states in the US and many countries the world over have their own versions of the Torch Run.”
The PRO is encouraging other restaurants to join with the LETRC in raising funds to assist the Special Olympics, noting that this initiative is of no cost to the restaurants.
He is also encouraging the public to lend their support in giving tips to the Police Officers when seen at the restaurants.
