JCF and partners open 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Jamaica

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has formally opened the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Jamaica, bringing together the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Department of Correctional Services, Jamaica Customs Agency, and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) under one fundraising push for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Senior officers framed the annual relay as both a money drive and a public-education effort. Officials said this year’s campaign carries a $5 million Jamaican dollar target for coaching, equipment, health screening, and competition travel for hundreds of local athletes, including teams sent to international meets. Speakers noted the previous cycle had aimed at $3 million but brought in about $4 million, and expressed confidence the new goal is reachable.

The programme also marks four decades of the global Law Enforcement Torch Run movement. Briefing remarks traced the concept’s United States origins in 1981 and highlighted Jamaica’s early place outside the United States in the network, alongside the JCF’s role as the first foreign police organisation to take it up. Assistant Commissioner Charmaine Shand, who heads the JCF’s Community Safety and Security Branch, told guests Jamaica’s committee received a Guardian Award at the 2024 international conference in Texas for stewardship of the torch.

Organisers outlined a packed calendar: smaller divisional legs beginning 24 April, band-backed community concerts at set stops, and a 30 May finale linked to the JCF’s national sports day at GC Foster College in St. Catherine North, where the torch is expected to arrive from the closing divisional leg. Area schedules name parish legs across Portland, St. Mary, St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, western parishes, Kingston and St. Andrew corridors, St. Thomas, and St. Catherine, including a concert in Old Harbour on 26 May and another in Manchester around 21 May.

Fundraising channels stressed at the launch include “buy a mile” tickets at $100, pledge forms, and on-route collection cans. For electronic giving, an official at the podium directed the public to a National Commercial Bank savings account on Duke Street, account number 234033670, marketed under the Law Enforcement Torch Run name.

During the ceremony, PICA chief executive Garth Williams presented a $250,000 pledge, Jamaica Customs Agency chief Kirk Benjamin announced $500,000, the fire brigade committed $300,000 from the organisation with members’ tag sales expected to push the combined fire-service total past half a million, and Correctional Services representative Kerry-Ann Davis pledged $300,000 plus another $100,000 from the probation officers’ staff association. Other declared contributions included $20,000 from Superintendent Sheryl Brown for Area Four headquarters, $100,000 from the Public Sector Employees Credit Union, $200,000 from Chosen Motor Works, $50,000 from Arctic Fresh Ice and Water, $50,000 from the National Neighborhood Watch movement, $200,000 from the Jamaica Police Co-operative Credit Union, $100,000 each from the Jamaica Police Federation and the Jamaica Constabulary Welfare Fund, $100,000 each from Arc Systems and Caribbean Auto Terminal, and $10,000 from Deputy Commissioner Gary McKenzie. Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake added a personal pledge of $100,000. Young athletes stepped forward with small cash gifts as a symbolic gesture.

Special Olympics Jamaica executive director Coleridge Howell thanked uniformed partners for year-round support, citing recent overseas basketball participation, preparations for unified football in France where Jamaica defends a title, and ongoing work toward the World Games in Chile. Blake paid tribute to standout past performers such as Kirk Wint, Allanika and Allan Gordon, Obrian McFarlane, Chanel Williams, twin roller skaters Devan and Dale Adman, unified football gold under constable-coach Jevon Stone, and remembered late awardee Randy Clemson.

Chaplain Dr. Gary Buddo-Fletcher opened with prayer for athletes, families, coaches, sponsors, and safe execution of the route. Lieutenant Colonel Carl Clarke spoke for the JDF on sustained joint participation. After speeches, organisers said Superintendent Sweeney of St Andrew North would receive the torch to begin the island relay, followed by a short track segment featuring the commissioner.