SMOKEY POINT — Area police officers will be working side jobs to support Special Olympics.

Arlington, Marysville and Lake Stevens Police are teaming up to serve drinks and bus tables at the Marysville Red Robin April 12, as part of the annual “Tip-a-Cop” event, which raises funds for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics athletes in the local community.

From noon to 8 p.m., approximately half a dozen officers from each city’s department will be working as “celebrity waiters” at the Red Robin, located at 16814 Twin Lakes Ave., and they’ll have their police vehicles and equipment out on display.

“The Arlington Police Department currently has 10 employees, including Chief John Gray and K-9 Officer Anthony Davis, who have committed to assist in the event,” said Loralie Carlson, the Arlington Police Department’s coordinator for this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run. “Lake Stevens will have one of their jet-ski boats, Marysville should have some motorcycles and patrol cars, and we’ll have our critical response unit, and possibly even our armored car.”

This year will mark the Arlington Police Department’s first participation in the Tip-a-Cop event. Carlson clarified that officers will only be serving beverages, since they don’t have permits to serve food.

All 32 Red Robin locations in Washington state are taking part in the Tip-a-Cop event, and their goal is to raise more than $150,000 to benefit the state’s Special Olympics athletes. Red Robin patrons can also purchase “Icons” through April 20, for any dollar amount, to help raise funds and awareness of local Special Olympics programs.

Carlson added that the Arlington portion of the Law Enforcement Torch Run will take place May 29, at a time yet to be determined, while the Special Olympics Summer Games will start May 30 at Ft. Lewis.

“My 5-year-old has Down Syndrome, so this is something that touches my life, too,” Carlson said.

To learn more, call Carlson at 360-403-3400.