Boston Police Belt Out 'God Bless America'

BOSTON, MA — They got some pipes. In a post on the Boston Police web page the department shows off the talent of two Boston police officers as they sing Irving Berlin's rendition of "God Bless America," ahead of July 4, It's an effort to have a little fun and show the more human side of Boston Police.

"Music is universal. It brings the world together with so much bad news, I believe you need to see the real human side - that we're human, people," Officer Kim Tavares, who has been on the force for 17 years, told Patch in an interview.

In the video, Officers Stephen McNulty and Kim Tavares, both members of the department's media relations team, chat about the upcoming holiday. "It's the best," they agree.

"When else do you get to fire cannons over the Charles River?" McNulty asks referring to the concert on the Esplanade.

"Legally, right?" Tavares responds.
"Legally. Legally," McNulty, who has been on the force for 12 years, says laughing.

Tavares asks McNulty what his favorite of the songs are, and he appears to think on it a bit, from inside a Boston Police cruiser, and then settles on "God Bless America." Tavares agrees and says they should sing it some time.

So, as Tavares starts driving through the city; they do. And wow.

Both of the officers have sung the National Anthem and other patriotic songs at police events throughout the years, and at Fenway Park and the Fleetwood center but never had the chance to actually sing together until now.

Tavares was transferred to the Media Relations unit this past March and their supervisor decided to make it happen in a car pool a'Capella. It took several takes and about 30 times singing through as the duo drove through the city occassionally going over a pothole or passing construction that forced them to stop the singing, said Tavares.

"And then we ended up taking the first take," she said. "It's really us singing live."

Tavares grew up singing and listening to all types of music. Back when the radio had dials you could turn. She'd listen to a song and when that song was over turn the dial and emulate whoever was on the other side of that radio all the way up and down the dial.

She's carried that passion for music with her onto the force, but has never actually sang with a partner in a cruiser before.

"I have driven with plenty of officers over my 17 years and the majority of them want them to stop singing," she laughed in a phone interview with Patch.

Will we see more of this?

"I think you just might," said Tavares.

(For anyone out there Tavares jokes she is also available to do jingles and commercials, and is certain McNulty will be happy to back her up).

Check the talented police officers singing it up here:

The post on the police website encourages folks to sing along.

Check out the Patch July 4 Guide to the Boston Fireworks here:

Boston July 4th Fireworks, Boston Pops and More: 2018 Guide

File photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch