The Philadelphia Police Department plans to escort Pope Francis throughout the city during the Papal Weekend in style with their new Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Eight fully-outfitted 2015 road king motorcycles were given to the department's Highway Patrol unit fleet on Wednesday as a gift and replacements for their older two-wheelers, according to CBS Philly.
The goal for the motorcycles will be to keep officers safe, as they include state of the art braking systems aimed at protecting people during sudden stops, as opposed to the older bikes that would've thrown officers off in this kind of situation.
The new Harleys were provided thanks to fundraising from the Philadelphia Foundation, an organization that formed in 1999 to help raise money for equipment and training that wasn't available in the department's current budget, Fox 29 reported. The foundation raised $150,000 for the motorcycles last May.
Lt. Bill Lynch said that this was the first time in 24 years that the department received new motorcycles since the previous ones were made in 1991.
Kathy Trommer and her family were among the contributors to the funding, providing $2,000 to honor their late father, Robert Wolfinger, a former Chief Inspector who escorted Pope John Paul II in 1979, CBS Philly reported.
"I was so excited, memories of my dad just flowed back," said Trommer. "I have a wonderful picture of him kissing the Pope's ring. The whole family attended the mass. It was just one of the most wonderful days in our lives."
"He'll be here with this Pope now," she added.
"These eight motorcycles will make us look very professional as we are escorting the Pope and other dignitaries that come to town," said Captain Jack Fleming, leader of the unit. "It's really going to make Philadelphia shine."
Highway Patrol will use its new bikes for a variety of public appearances, including Pope Francis' visit in Philadelphia during the weekend of Sept. 26-27 for the World Meeting of Families Celebration, NBC Philadelphia reported.
The unit will also take part in escorts during the Democratic National Convention.
Those who wish to help the Philadelphia Police Foundation continue to raise funds for more bike replacements for the department can donate at the group's website.
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