Introduction to Mounted Police Service

Chapter One - Getting In the Saddle

Principles of Starting and Organizing a Mounted Public Safety Unit,

Over the few years of my horse police research I have been asked 2 to 3 times a month about starting a mounted unit. I've put together information in a workbook format that should help in first developing a mission for horses, and then building the political and economic base of a successful unit startup.


I strongly recommend you start a log of your thoughts and responses to this workbook and outline. At some point you will have to commit your idea and project to writing. A well thought out and factually based proposal will make or break your mounted unit. Think of this as a Business Plan for investing in a mounted law enforcement unit. If you think this justification process is going to be easy, you might as well read this for its humor value. Mounted units are expensive, have a high potential for legal exposure, and require a high level of departmental and community support. Also keep it mind that every year you will go through a re-justification process if you are successful to start.

• Step 1 - Mission Of the Mounted Unit
  
• Step 2 - Politics in Starting and Maintaining a Mounted Unit
  
• Step 3 - Budgeting a Mounted Unit
  
• Step 4 - Completed Staff Work to Justify a Mounted Unit
  

   The Bugle Call is? 

The bugle call is "Boots & Saddles", Mount up troopers!