Photo: Paul Clinton. The U. When Romney travels to or from fund-raisers and other campaign events, MOP officers lead the escort of "Javelin"—a code name referring to the pony car produced by Romney's father's company, American Motors Corp.
Mobile Operations Patrol is a multi-faceted specialized unit that demands its officers be proficient in motorcycle handling as well as tactical operations.
Members of the unit also suit up as SWAT operators. The MOP unit, which began in when two Boston officers began using their Indian motorcycles on patrol, is a part of the department's Special Operations Division that also includes specialized units such as the bomb squad, K-9 unit, harbor patrol , HazMat, and commercial enforcement.
Kevin McGoldrick, the unit commander. Once an officer is accepted, he or she must complete the department's motorcycle training, and then its SWAT school. Only six officers aren't SWAT trained, including the unit's two female officers.
A lieutenant oversees 50 officers and six sergeants with a waiting list of about 22 candidates from the pool of about 2, sworn personnel. Mobile Operations Patrol officers handle executive and funeral escorts, crowd management, SWAT callouts, and traffic enforcement. Officers may have started on Indians, but the Boston PD has been relying on Harleys since at least the s.
