Police escort

Police officers on motorcycles escort Queen Elizabeth II in Berlin during a state visit to Germany, 2015

A police escort, also known as a law enforcement escort, is a feature offered by most law enforcement agencies to assist in transporting VIPs or other important individuals.

This is done by means of assigning police vehicles, primarily cars or motorcycles, to precede, surround, and/or follow a vehicle, or group of vehicles. Other government departments also provide escort services, such as Secret Service and Military police.

An escort can range widely in size, beginning with a single vehicle. They almost always assist with motorcades for the transportation of senior public officials, such as heads of state or heads of government, or can be hired by celebrities, professional athletes, or for funerals.

A police escort, contrary to popular belief, does not need to be side by side to those being escorted. The purpose of the police escort is to ensure those who are being escorted get to their destination in a safe manner.