NYPD-carA New York Times article After A Peek at the Police Dept., A Thanks With a Check, by Michael S. Schmidt, explains how many high profile New Yorkers – from Dan Rather to Barry Diller, got to get an insider’s look at the day to day operations of various units inside the Police Department.

Although these were not actual auction items, approximately 40% of the participants made donation to the Police Foundation. They got to accompany task force units, observe counterterrorism teams and visit precinct stations. Who wouldn’t want to see those!