NATIONAL MOUNTED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOUNDATION
Mounted Law Enforcement began in the U.S. in the early 1800s. The effectiveness of mounted law enforcement propelled its growth until the invention of the automobile. Although the mounted seemed obsolete, law enforcement agencies quickly concluded that lawman and steed can track, chase and catch a suspect in places where an automobile cannot go.
Continuing through to modern times, mounted units can do things patrolmen in cars often can’t such as jump a curb, turn into a tight alley and even chase down a suspect fleeing on foot through a narrow stretch.
Mounted officers can maneuver in various terrains where other units cannot, such as thickened woods, dirt paths and mountains for search and rescue, to track a suspect or locate evidence.
It’s amazing how many crimes are deterred by a mounted officer who can see and be seen up to a half mile away.
Additionally, these officers on horseback are a force multiplier in managing large crowds: One mounted officer equals 15 to 20 officers on foot. Two mounted officers equal 40 patrolmen and so on.
Mounted units are active in 39 states with over 140 mounted units nationwide. These units are operating within city and state police departments, sheriffs' departments, highway patrol, border patrol, U.S. parks and capitol parks. Lawman and steed are specialized partners who keep the streets safe with modern-day policing.
Most people don’t know about or understand the full significance, power and dire need of a mounted unit. Law enforcement officers on horseback are vitally important to the public safety and the safety of patrol officers while receiving hundreds of positive contacts with the public daily using the horse as the equalizer.
