he 100th anniversary of the Boston Police Department’s world-renowned motorcycle pro- gram represents a significant milestone for the City of Boston,
Boston Police Department, and all of the courageous men and women who for the past 100 years have dedicated themselves to protect and serve the citizens of the City of Boston. The success of BPD’s early motor pioneers resulted in the formation of the “Speed Squad” in 1912, which was the predecessor of today’s professional, organized motorcycle program. Given their excep- tional mobility, riding skills and tenacity, mobile operations Officers have consistently demonstrated their unique ability to quickly respond anywhere in the city, regardless of traffic conditions, emergency or significant event. Over this same time span, mobile oper- ations officers have proudly and safely escorted countless foreign dignitaries, heads of state, prominent world figures and Presidents of the United States without incident. Motorcycles have been utilized for all types of duties and assignments. Over the years the motorcycles have been used in crowd control, disbursement of protestors, and in neighborhoods where they are deployed in highly visible and proactive enforcement areas. These Officers have arrested many suspects who are wanted for violent firearm and drug-related offenses. The unit has transformed itself into a tactical-base unit, with its mission being to suppress and stop violent criminals by utilizing tactical maneuvers. Over the past century, the BPD Mobile Operations Patrol (MOP) Unit has utilized Indian and Harley-Davidson®
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motorcycles. Currently, 100% of the motor fleet is comprised of Harley-Davidson®
Road King®
years, the motorcycle program has evolved beyond traffic enforcement to include special weapons and S.W.A.T. tactics. To celebrate and commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime occa-
MOBILE OPERATIONS OFFICERS HAVE CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED THEIR UNIQUE ABILITY TO QUICKLY RESPOND ANYWHERE IN THE CITY.
sion, Boston Police Department sponsored a public/media event on September 16, 2012. The event was held at Fenway Park, one of the oldest and historic baseball parks in the United States, which also celebrated its 100th anniversary. The commissioner lead all of his motorcycle Officers, including former members of the Boston Police Motorcycle Unit, on a memorial “Ride to Remember” for the six fallen Motorcycle Officers through the Historic City of Boston. Accompanied by honor guards, the riders rode past each location where a “Hero” sign was posted and were saluted by an Officer sta- tioned at each location. The ride ended at Special Opera- tions Headquarters located in Roxbury. Six era Har- ley-Davidson®
unmanned “Silent Rider” motorcycles
were parked in front of the new memorial. Special Operations Officers and family members then placed white gloves and a red rose on each seat in memory of our fallen heroes. An inspection of the Boston Police Mobile Operations Officers and their motorcycles was then conducted by Superintendent William Evans commander of BFS along with a blessing of the motorcycles by the clergy of the Boston Police Department. A special dedication of a bronze and granite memorial was
unveiled by Mayor Thomas Menino, Commissioner Edward F. Davis, Superintendent in Chief Daniel Linskey, family members of the six motorcycle officers who were killed in the line of duty