In late July 2023, an on-duty Boston police officer decided to give the new City Hall Plaza playground slide a try. In the viral footage, the officer in full uniform shoots out of the bottom of the tube slide at shocking speed, feet-first but upside-down, and skids across the ground as pieces of his duty belt go flying. The officer only suffered minor injuries and was able to walk away.
Social media frenzy turns slide into tourist draw
After the video hit the internet, it took on a life of its own. Within days, the “Boston cop slide” clip was trending across TikTok and other platforms as users cracked jokes and created remixes. Thrill-seekers began showing up at City Hall Plaza to try the infamous slide for themselves, with reports of a 45-minute wait at one point for adults eager to reenact the meme. The sudden fame even led Google Maps to label the playground as the “Cop Slide” tourist attraction, WCVB reported. Major news outlets picked up the story as well, amplifying the viral police slide video to an even wider audience.
City officials step in with safety measures
City authorities soon intervened to keep things safe (and sane). Boston Mayor Michelle Wu reminded the public that the towering slide was meant for children, suggesting additional signage might be needed to discourage adventurous adults, according to the WCVB report. By August 10, the city had erected temporary barricades around the slide during nighttime hours to prevent any more late-night tumbles. “This slide is not intended for adult use” stickers – which were already posted on the equipment – were pointed out as a warning to would-be riders. Officials later eased the barriers, and by the end of August the playground had largely been returned to the kids as the viral hype died down.
Experts explain why the slide sent him flying
The physics behind the infamous slide were also a hot topic. Observers noted that while most people slid down normally, a few riders (like the unlucky officer) ended up shooting out in dramatic fashion. Experts offered explanations: the officer’s heavy synthetic uniform likely had an extremely low coefficient of friction against the metal slide and the slide’s steep, curving design can send a body zooming like a luge sled, Slate reported. In other words, the combination of slick clothing and the slide’s shape effectively turned the cop into a human rocket.
From viral meme to pop culture phenomenon (2025 update)
In the months since, the “Boston cop slide” has cemented itself in pop culture lore. Late-night host John Oliver even jokingly crowned the viral clip “the single best movie of the summer” on his HBO show, Boston Magazine reported. The video spawned creative Halloween costumes and turned the once-ordinary playground into a must-see stop for curious locals and tourists alike. Boston Magazine went on to name the “Cop Slide” as Boston’s best viral moment of the year. Even in 2025, the legend lives on – the slide still stands (now with extra caution signage).