Mississippi DPS officers guard flame at Special Olympics torch run

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said in a Facebook post that earlier this morning some of its law enforcement officers served as guardians of the flame during the Special Olympics Mississippi torch run.

The department, which oversees the state’s highway patrol and other public safety programs, posted a brief message thanking organizers for allowing officers to participate in the event.

Special Olympics Mississippi is part of the global Special Olympics movement, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Torch runs are commonly used by Special Olympics programs as awareness and fundraising events, and they are intended to highlight community support for athletes and inclusion.

Law enforcement participation in torch runs is often cited as a way to strengthen ties between officers and the communities they serve and to show public support for people with intellectual disabilities. Details about the time, location and number of officers who participated were not provided in the post. We will provide more information as it becomes available.