NCJ Number
56002
Journal
MPI - MUNICIPAL POLICE Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 14-18
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE COST-EFFECTIVE USE OF MOUNTED POLICE PATROLS IN LIMITED SITUATIONS IS DISCUSSED USING CASE STUDIES OF THE BOSTON MOUNTED PATROL AND THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE UNIT.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE MODERNIZATON TREND IN POST-WORLD II POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESULTED IN THE ELIMINATION OF MANY HORSE PATROL UNITS, THE REQUIREMENTS OF EFFECTIVE CROWD CONTROL AND HIGH VISIBILITY BROUGHT RENEWED INTEREST IN THE USE OF MOUNTED POLICE. THE EXPERIENCES OF THE LATE 1960'S SHOWED THAT HORSES COULD PROVIDE THE POLICE WITH A POSITIVE METHOD OF CRIME REDUCTION. A MOUNTED OFFICER HAD BOTH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE OF BEING HIGHER THAN THE CROWDS AND THE PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE OF IMPROVED VISIBILITY. THE PRESENCE OF MOUNTED PATROL SOLVED THE PROBLEM OF OFFICER'S ISOLATION FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ENCOURAGED VOLUNTARY CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN CRIME PREVENTION. THE USE OF THE MOUNTED PATROL IN AREAS OF HIGH STREET CRIME AND EXTENDED PARK LAND COMPARES FAVORABLY WITH OTHER METHODS OF POLICING, IN COST AND CRIME REDUCTION. THE BOSTON PROGRAM INVOLVED INTENSIVE TRAINING OF THE OFFICERS AND HORSES AND WAS MORE ECONOMICAL THAN THE TWO-MAN CRUISER PATROL. THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE UNIT ALSO PROVED AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN REDUCING CRIME IN THE STATE PARKS. ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)