Since the Police Unity Tour began in 1997, it has grown from a humble 18-cyclist ride to one that now consists of nine chapters of some 2,500 participants, and the Stafford Township Police Department again was part of the annual trek, which concluded May 12 in Washington, D.C.

“We’re proud to share that nine of our Stafford Township Police officers participated in the Police Unity Tour, riding 270-plus miles from Spring Lake to Washington, D.C.,” reads the department’s Facebook post of May 15.