The NYPD Highway Patrol Motorcycle Unit is a specialized unit of the New York Police Department's Transportation Bureau that is primarily responsible for maintaining and patrolling traffic on highways located in New York City. Other duties for the unit include accident investigations, field sobriety testing, anti-terrorist checkpoints and escorting Parades in the New York area, such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The NYPD Motorcycle Unit made their first Macy's Parade appearance in 1985, escorting the Parade down Broadway saddled on their metal steeds. The motorcycle police replaced the NYPD Mounted Unit as the official lead escorts, who had led the procession along the route since its inception. Since their first appearance, the motorcycles have led every Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ensuring that all Parade participants make it safely to Macy's Herald Square.
Only five of the usual two dozen officers were able to appear in the 2020 Parade, as COVID-19 protocols cut down the number of participants by 88%. The full-scale unit returned in 2021 and they continued to lead the Parade as of 2022.
Trivia[]
- In addition to leading the Parade every year, the Motorcycle Unit also serves as an escort for the convoy of floats that travel from New Jersey into Manhattan on the day before Thanksgiving.
See also[]
- NYPD Mounted Unit, the other specialized NYPD unit that appears in the Parade.
- NYPD Marching Band, the Police Department's marching band.