About the Police Boat Teams
The Philadelphia Police Boat Teams is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded in 2000, and is committed to the promotion of physical fitness and fraternity among law enforcement, and to giving back to the community. Our Team is comprised of Philadelphia Police Officers, Special Agents of the FBI, and members of other federal, state and local law enforcement organizations. Competitive crews are fielded in Dragon Boat and Ocean Outrigger Canoe races.
In 2003, the team started an annual "Memorial Paddle" to
honor fallen officers and raise money for the Philadelphia Chapter of Concerns
of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S. The first year's journey was 114 miles from
the Port of Philadelphia on the Delaware River to North Wildwood, NJ via
the Delaware River, Delaware Bay and Intercostal Waterway. 17 rowers successfully
made the distance in 25 hours. They carried a wreath the whole way and presented
it at the opening ceremony of the Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Survivors'
Weekend in North Wildwood. In 2004, we started at the historic Statue of
Liberty and landed in North Wildwood 36 hours and over 150 miles later, with
twice the law enforcement personnel, for this all-important mission.
Over the next 2 years, this event became a celebrated part of the Law Enforcement
Survivors’ Weekend, and money raised by our team has been used to commemorate
our fallen comrades and their families with plaques and dedications.
