NCJ Number
68699
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 49 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 16-22
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
USEFULNESS OF THE POLICE EQUESTRIAN UNITS AND METHODS OF SELECTION AND TRAINING OF BOTH HORSES AND POLICEMEN ARE PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT ON THE U.S. PARK POLICE HORSE MOUNTED UNIT.
Abstract
THIS UNIT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1934, AND IT COMPRISES MORE THAN TRAINED HORSES AND RIDERS. THE UNIT PROVED ITS USEFULNESS IN PATROLING SUCH OPEN SPACES AS RECREATION AREAS AT CIVIC FUNCTIONS AND DURING DEMONSTRATIONS. BECAUSE OF THE ADDED HEIGHT, THE POLICEMEN CAN SEE OVER OBSTACLES, AND THEIR VISIBILITY SERVES AS AN EFFECTIVE CRIME DETERRENT. SINCE MOUNTED POLICE CAN ALSO COVER A GREATER AREA, THEY OFFER AN ENERGY SAVING ALTERNATIVE TO MOTORIZED PATROLS. HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DETERMINE THE NEED FOR ESTABLISHING MOUNTED UNITS, SINCE AN APPROXIMATE ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSE PER HORSE IN SUCH A UNIT IS AS HIGH AS $1,000. TO PERFORM WELL, A HORSE MUST HAVE SPECIFIC PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES, BE TRAINED TO UNDERSTAND THE RIDER'S INTENTIONS, AND NOT PANIC AT FLASHING LIGHTS, SIRENS AND GUN FIRE. MOUNTED POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BE TRAINED IN STABLE MANAGEMENT, GROOMING, FIRST AID, FEED RATIONING, ETC. ASIDE FROM THE BASIC GAITS, THE OFFICERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR HORSES OVER JUMPS AND OBSTACLES. HORSES OF THE PARK POLICE MOUNTED POLICE UNIT RECEIVE 480 HOURS OF TRAINING BEFORE THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO A RIDER, AND THE OFFICERS RECEIVE 400 HOURS OF INTENSTIVE TRAINING (10 HOURS A DAY, 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 8 WEEKS). IN ADDITION, EACH RIDER AND HORSE MUST COMPLETE 40 HOURS OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING EACH YEAR. A TABLE ON THE COST OF HORSE EQUIPMENT AND CARE IS INCLUDED.