Boston Police Special Operations Unit
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The Boston Police Special Operations Unit is a specialized unit within the Boston Police Department responsible for combined duties involving traffic enforcement, crowd control, and special weapons and tactics (SWAT) services within the city.
One unique feature of the unit is that the Special Operations Unit primarily relies on the use of Harley-Davidsons in their daily patrols. The use of motorcycles allows the unit to perform routine traffic enforcement; accompany parades, crowds, and visiting dignitaries; and to quickly travel to situations wherein the unit's SWAT skills are requested. Specialized trucks and support vehicles are also used to transport equipment and officers when needed.
In October of 2004 some members of Boston's Special Operations Unit became involved in a controversy stemming from the death of Victoria Snelgrove. Snelgrove, an Emerson College student, was killed by a projectile fired by an FN 303 pepper-pellet weapon used by Special Operations members during crowd control procedures following the Boston Red Sox's American League pennant victory in October 2004. None of the officers involved were charged, though the city ultimately settled with Snelgrove's family. The SOU has also been involved in anti-terror efforts and raids after the events of 9/11.
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Similar municipal units:
