Why does nypd use horses

Any officer with at least three years with the department under his or her belt can apply to be part of the Mounted Unit. Officers who are chosen for the unit train for five to six hours per day over the course of about five to six months. Aside from training, the officers are also expected to perform basic care for the horses. You pick up something new on a daily basis. After a horse and officer are paired, they almost always stay together unless the officer is sick or injured.

Officer Pamela Bond said the department tries to pair horses and officers based on similar personalities during training. By Lauren Cook 0. About the Author. Home Pros Find a pro. This allows for a deep bond to form; trust that is crucial for the demands that are placed on the pair and the unpredictable nature of the job. You know what they do, you know exactly what they feel. Police Officer Jonathan Azzaro had only ridden Western a handful of times before applying to the Mounted Unit in He loves to be hugged.

Contrary to the notion that Mounted Officers are no longer necessary due to the constant stream of new technologies improving the police force, the officer's main advantage over traditional patrol cars and other new automation is their height.

We can go right into places, especially sitting on a horse. A tee-shirt vendor immediately noticed smoke billowing from the car and alerted the nearest Mounted Officer. In a matter of minutes, Times Square was evacuated and emergency service units flooded the area to dissipate the situation. And most of the time, citizens and passersby, if they get into trouble they will run over and flag one of us down for things. From preparing for the day ahead, to grooming and tacking up, the officers and their horses have developed an unbreakable bond.

They share a unique responsibility in representing New York City and its law enforcement to the rest of the world. Besides their duty of protecting the citizens and visitors of New York City, Deputy Inspector Gelbman explains that the horse is an ambassador of connection.

That one interaction is going to be the takeaway for that one person of an entire agency of 50, to 60, people. Lizzy Youngling is a former professional rower turned runner with her roots firmly planted in the horse world. Even then, they will have to train for five to six hours a day over five to six months. They also have to tend to the basic needs of their horse, like feeding and cleaning them. As for the horseshoes, the animals get checked for a new set every two to three weeks.

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