NCJ Number
142778
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 20 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1993) Pages: 32- 35
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Even though it is difficult to measure, the goodwill created by mounted patrol officers and their horses can be beneficial to police agencies.
Abstract
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, mounted police officers were able to disperse a group of college students who decided to block a main highway. The 27 members of Los Angeles Police Department's mounted units made over 700 criminal arrests in 1992, including arrests for robbery, burglary, and narcotics violations. In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Park Police have the mission of policing National Park areas of the city. About one-third of the U.S. Park Police's 41 mounted officers spend their time on patrol, about one-third on crowd control, and about one-third on public relations and education. In Huntington, West Virginia, mounted officers seem to work better in high-crime areas than do foot patrols, especially since most kids are attracted to the horses. Although mounted units perform well on routine patrols, they seem to be ideally suited for special operations. For example, mounted officers played an important role in disaster relief after Hurricane Andrew hit Florida. About 100 mounted units operate across the country that involve approximately 700 patrols. Guidelines are offered for starting a mounted unit, and cost data are provided.