Philly police travel to Washington to assist with Inauguration Day security

Seventy-five Philadelphia police officers yesterday departed for Washington, D.C. to assist the Metropolitan Police Department in providing security for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.

The contingent of one captain, one corporal, two lieutenants, six sergeants and 65 officers yesterday morning boarded buses to the capital and will spend today training and preparing for tomorrow’s formal swearing-in ceremony and attendant celebrations.

The 75 officials will tomorrow be stationed on the parade line, where they will assist with traffic and crowd control.

All costs incurred by the detail are being covered by the Metropolitan Police Department, and the officers’ temporary departure will not affect the level of manpower on the streets here in Philadelphia.