FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On behalf of:
Chief Andrew Fletcher, South Simcoe Police Service
Chair, OACP Torch Run Executive Committee
Karen Richards Named Direct-Elect of Ontario Law Enforcement
Torch Run (OLETR)
Karen Richards becomes the 7th Director in OLETR history, and the first civilian to hold the position.
INNISFIL, ON, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 - On behalf of the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run OACP Executive Committee I am happy to announce that Karen Richards from York Regional Police has been named Director-Elect of the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run effective January 25, 2020. Karen will work closely and be mentored by current Torch Run Director Sgt. Mark McGugan (London Police Service) for a 6-month period at which time Karen will officially become the Torch Run Director on: June 14, 2020 for a 3 year term.
Karen is a truly dedicated and passionate member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and under her leadership the York Regional Police Torch Run Committee has excelled and achieved unprecedented success over the past few years. In the role of Director, Karen will work closely with Special Olympics Ontario and the OLETR Operations Committee to ensure the continued success of one of the best Torch Run programs in the world!  

Karen has been an active volunteer with the Law Enforcement Torch Run since 2004 when she joined York Regional Police in the Event Planning Department. Previous to joining YRP Karen worked at Special Olympics Ontario for 4 years as Manager of Volunteer Services.
 
In 2013, York Regional Police hosted the Special Olympics Ontario Summer Games and Karen was selected as Games Manager, overseeing all aspects of the event. The games were one of the most successful ever hosted by a Police Service with over 1,500 athletes and more than $1.3 million raised. After the games, Special Olympics Ontario selected Karen to be the Chef de Mission for the Canadian National Games in Vancouver.
 
Karen has also been recognized with the following Torch Run/Special Olympic positions/awards:
2014: LETR Chair, York Regional Police
2016: Zone 3 Co-Coordinator
2018: Provincial Operations Committee
2019: OACP Award of Honour
About (Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run)
Who We Are
The Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run® (OLETR) is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Known honourably as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the "Flame of Hope" into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. 

What We Do
The OLETR for Special Olympics engages law enforcement worldwide championing acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, starting first with their own communities. Over the years the Torch Run has evolved and now encompasses a variety of innovative fundraising platforms to include Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, NHL Alumni Games, Torch Rides, Endurance Series and MORE! Since inception (1987 in Ontario), the OLETR has raised more than $40,000,000 and changed millions of attitudes. 


Media Contact:

Name: Brock Robinson
Title: Manager, OLETR
Phone: 416-447-8326 x 264
Email address: [email protected]
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