Polar Plunge: WA Police officers and Special Olympics athletes brave the chill at Hillarys Boat Harbour

“It’s honestly breathtaking — you’re laughing as you run in, you dive under, and then all of the sudden it’s like your heart almost stops beating because of the shock.”

Those were the words of Acting Assistant Commissioner for the Standards and Legal Portfolio, Alan Morton, just minutes after he dove in uniform into the icy water at Hillary’s Boat Harbour on Saturday morning.

Mr Morton was one of dozens of WA Police officers to join Special Olympics athletes and brave the chill at Perth’s 2025 Polar Plunge.

The chilly challenge, now in its fifth year, is organised by the WA Law Enforcement Torch Run and supports athletes with autism and intellectual disabilities.

This year’s plunge has already raised over $50,000.

Mr Morton said the Polar Plunge “filled his cup” and said some athletes had been waiting all year for Saturday’s festivities.

“When you jump out of the water (you see) the enthusiasm of all your team members . . . and their beaming faces, that you don’t feel the cold,” he told The Sunday Times.

“I realise that at times, people with intellectual disabilities in our community can feel isolated . . . and as first responders, we just think there’s something we can do to promote social inclusion.

“The police force volunteer their time because it fills our cup; sometimes it’s emptied with some of the terrible things we see on a daily basis, but this is the complete opposite . . . it brings you back into balance.”

Joondalup Senior Sergeant and Torch Run director Chris Newman said the event was about putting their athletes “front and centre”.

“People who’ve got intellectual disabilities are not included in a lot of sports and they’re not included in the community,” he said.

“It’s about feeling part of the community and it’s about the police force really getting behind it.

“It’s going to be absolutely freezing in the ocean, but it’s all for a good cause.”

Special Olympics supporter Hugh Brown took the plunge and said it was “bloody freezing”.

“It’s a cause we all believe in and it’s about giving these people access to sports,” he said.