Mounted Police

Mounted police officers have the same responsibilities as any other police officer. Their main role is public relations for the police department. In addition to representing the department in parades, fairs, and special events, the officers and their horses are very effective in crowd control because they can see over and move crowds well. Horses can be very intimidating to a crowd and can do the work of eight to ten officers on foot. Larger cities have a Mounted Police Division. The appointment to the division is usually done through a volunteer basis and is based on prior work history for the department. However, there is usually a set number of positions open within a department which usually leads to several officers waiting for an open position.

The qualifications to be a Mounted Police Officer do not require a great deal of prior riding experience. All new appointments are expected to attend a twelve to fifteen week training school with instruction of how to ride a horse and the use horses in law enforcement. The rest of the qualifications are in the guidelines for any police officer. Most departments require the officer to work for the department for two to five years in order to serve in the Mounted Division.

Incomes vary widely depending greatly on the individual city and the population of that city. With average overtime, uniform allowance and other additions the starting salary ranges from $35,000 a year to $44,000 a year with a fifth year officer earning $50,000 to $70,000. Like any police officers, mounted police need to be courageous, have good ethics, and a wonderful sense of leadership.