They're back!! The Philadelphia mounted police unit that is and thanks to a grant from the Bureau of Justice, the unit, which was cut due to budgetary restrains in 2004, is gearing up once again. According to Marquise Robinson, as assistant trainer, an officer on a horse is worth ten on the ground.
At the moment the force has seven donated horses, four from a Newark mounted police unit and three from a rescue ranch. The Police Department has also purchased four more. There are thirteen police in the mounted unit.
Training has recently begun for the new recruits, which involves getting used to their horses and then training the horses not to be skiddish around crowds and noise. It is a 16 week intensive training program.
Not all the newcomers are trained horsemen/women but all love the animals and are enjoying the process of learning. "I just can't believe I'm getting paid," said Chanthavy Hearn. "It's like putting together two things that I like to do together. It was always a dream of mine."
For now, the unit is looking for permanent stables within the city limits as it rebuilds its corps. We're glad its back!
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