The award will be given "in recognition of their many years of outstanding service to the theatre district." The other previously announced recipients of Tony Honors are the Alliance for Resident Theatres New York (A.R.T./New York), B.H. Barry and Tom Viola. Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League stated, "We had decided on this particular Tony Honor well before the May 1st incident in Broadway/Times Square which brought the NYPD's skills to the forefront of a very public stage, so our desire to award them for their consistent day-to-day dedication proved even more appropriate. Since the New York City Police Department is a City Agency, they had to first ensure that they could accept this recognition. Today, that approval was received and we are thrilled that they will join their fellow recipients at the Tony Awards on Sunday, June 13th at Radio City Music Hall."

The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were established in 1990 and are awarded annually to "institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theatre, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories."

The Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on CBS June 13.