The Newburyport Police Department has been using motorcycles as part patrolling the city since 1930's. The department owns two 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Using the motorcycle unit allows the Newburyport Police Department to expand our ability to patrol remote areas, congested roadways, or to increase our capability to enforce traffic regulations. The motorcycles are in use from mid March through November depending on the weather.

The motorcycle unit consists of ten officers, a sergeant, and a lieutenant. Officers assigned to the unit were required to complete a sixteen-hour motorcycle training/certification course taught by local instructors from the Massachusetts Municipal Training Council. This training provides officers operation safety / emergency response operation, and proper execution of traffic stops..