ATTLEBORO - A fundraising program for Special Olympics started two years ago by Police Chief Richard Pierce and the Middleton Police Chief James DiGianvittorio has raised nearly $20,000 for the organization.

The two police chiefs recently spoke at the International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference to benefit Special Olympics to promote the "cruiser convoy program" as a way of raising money for Special Olympics athletes.

The cruiser convoy is part of the Special Olympics summer games events held each year in June at Harvard Stadium.

The convoy begins at various locations across the state and ends at Harvard Stadium, where the athletes can view the police vehicles and the police officers participate in the summer games activities by helping to hand out awards to the athletes.

Pierce told the conference at the Foxwoods MGM Grand last week that the convoy program raised $6,000 in the first year and $11,000 last year, with 110 police vehicles from various law-enforcement agencies participating. Private and corporate donations sponsor and fund the event. Pierce and DiGianvittorio encouraged attendees at the conference to develop a cruiser convoy program in other states and countries to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes.

"The cruiser convoy is a great opportunity for the athletes and law-enforcement officers to interact with one another," Pierce said. "It's also a great way to enhance the state's largest Special Olympics athletic event and support deserving Special Olympics athletes in our communities."

The next cruiser convoy will be held in June 2010.

Pierce said that he and DiGianvittorio hope to have all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts as well as other Massachusetts law enforcement agencies participate in the cruiser convoy to Harvard Stadium.

Attending the conference were law-enforcement officials and others representing Special Olympics from 14 foreign countries and all 50 states in the United States.

Although there are other Special Olympics fundraising events held throughout the year, the most notable is the Law Enforcement Torch Run where police officers carry the Special Olympic Torch to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympic athletes through communities across the state.