PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For the first time the weather looks to be on the side of law enforcement officers who plan to spend the night on the roof of Walmart.

 

The sixth annual Cop on Top, a fundraiser for the Massachusetts Special Olympics, returns to Berkshire Crossing on Saturday. Upward of 10 officers from police departments across the county are prepared to camp out on the roof overnight.

 

"The weather looks killer for the first time," said organizer Darren Derby. "It is the first time in six years we have two good days of weather."

 

Forecasts so far show temperatures in the 40s and sunny, which Derby hopes will draw a large crowd to help the fundraising efforts. The goal is to raise $55,000, which the organizers — the Law Enforcement Torch Run — have yet to accomplish. Last year, the event raised $52,000, the highest total yet. 

 

"It was considered our largest event until the Polar Plunge," Derby said. "We raise a lot of money for [Special Olympics] and they are grateful."

 

Officers will take to the roof after an opening ceremony Saturday morning at 9, taking shifts, and some will stay overnight. At least one officer will be on top of the building until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Meanwhile, there will be giveaways, a bake sale, and raffles.

 

"They are fairly good-sized events within the event," Derby said.

 

The raffle typically raises between $7,000 and $10,000 with prizes such as tickets to Red Sox games or ski passes or wine tastings. Berkshire Gas and Market 32 are teaming up to hold the bake sale, which expects to raise another $3,000 or so.

 

"Everything goes to the Special Olympics," Derby said.

 

The Civitan Club of Pittsfield will have volunteers helping to collect donations and run the giveaways each hour. On Saturday at noon a lifeflight will land in the parking lot for display and Mr. and Mrs. Claus are expected to stop in periodically.

 

"We've got more departments participating this year," Derby said. "From North Adams down to Monterey, we have a huge gamut of departments."

 

Cop on Top is the longest running fundraiser for the local Law Enforcement Torch Run but more and more events have been added over the years to boost fundraising. In February, the Polar Plunge will return and earlier this month a sweater fun run was held in Lee. In August, there is a midnight "Run With the Cops" and this year the group added a firetruck pull during the annual EMS Expo at the Berkshire Mall.