UPDATE: Seattle's Mounted Patrol to be shutdown

Seattle Mounted Patrol officers and horses were on hand for the Morgan Junction Festival in June. One young boy got his first look at real horse. The Mounted Patrol has been ordered to be shutdown.

File photo by Patrick Robinson

Mon, 09/30/2024

UPDATE 9/30/24

Information from Seattle Police

The Seattle Police Department is heartbroken that we have to make the very difficult decision to begin decommissioning our Mounted Patrol Unit over the next several months. The unit has a storied, 150-year legacy and has been utilized over the years for many different missions, including crowd control and patrolling city parks. However, over the past decade, due to lack of resources, the unit has been downsized and is primarily used for community events, ceremonies, and memorial services. The downsized mission of the unit has been made possible through supplemental funding from generous donations from individuals and organizations.

However, as SPD continues to recover from loss of hundreds of officers over the past four years, we have to carefully prioritize how to use existing scarce resources. The highest priority is maintaining the ability to respond quickly to emergency calls, and effectively investigate dangerous criminal behavior so the community is protected. This requires that we reduce resources for work that does not directly support these two priorities.

Maintaining a mounted patrol unit is complex and cannot be “started and stopped” as resources ebb and flow. The animals require and deserve a great deal of ongoing care, which requires expensive facilities, trainers and caretakers to ensure the health and well-being of the horses, even when they are not being used by police.

We recognize the deep and abiding relationships that so many inside and outside of SPD have developed over the years. We will be working to find a compassionate and meaningful transition for each of the animals. We hope that some of them might be used to serve the community in other ways, such as therapy horses. Former owners of the donated horses will be given the opportunity to take back ownership.

Original Post 9/28/24

The Seattle Mounted Patrol whose barn is located in Highland Park has been part of the Seattle Police Department for nearly 150 years. But today it's in trouble. There are plans to shut it down and The Seattle Police Foundation has previously launched efforts to sponsor horses... which worked for a time.

Mounted police units, which might seem outdated in a motorized world, still offer unique advantages in urban environments such as:

Crowd Control and Deterrence:

Visibility: Horses are larger than humans and more easily seen through crowds. Their presence can deter potential troublemakers and disperse gatherings.
Mobility: Horses can maneuver through narrow spaces and around obstacles more easily than vehicles, allowing officers to reach areas that are difficult for cars to access.
Psychological Impact: The sight of mounted officers can have a calming effect on crowds, as horses are often seen as gentle and majestic creatures.

Public Relations:

Community Engagement: Mounted officers can be a positive presence in communities, interacting with residents and building trust.
Visibility: Horses are often seen as symbols of tradition and heritage, and their presence can enhance a city's image.

Environmental Benefits:

Reduced Emissions: Horses produce fewer emissions than vehicles, making them a more environmentally friendly option for patrolling certain areas.

Tactical Advantages:

Height Advantage: Mounted officers have a higher vantage point, allowing them to see over crowds and identify potential threats more easily.
Stability: Horses provide a stable platform for officers to observe and respond to situations.

While mounted police units may not be as common as they once were, they still have a valuable role to play in modern cities. Their unique combination of visibility, mobility, and psychological impact can make them a valuable asset for law enforcement agencies.

The unit shared a letter seeking the public's support both monetary and through asking members of City Government to reconsider a shut down. A letter went out to supporters this past week.

Loyal Supporter,

We need your help!

Horses have been a cherished part of the Seattle Police Department for almost 150 years; with the modern inception of the Mounted Unit being established in 1973 with eight horses, seven officers, and one sergeant. Today it is diminished to 1 dedicated sergeant and 1 full time Officer with civilian support barn staff, and it is the last remaining Mounted Patrol Unit in the Pacific Northwest.

In its earty years, the Unit's primary mission was to patrol the 5,000 acres of City parks. Its secondary mission was crowd control and management during largescale events. In the 1980s the unit further evolved, with patrol duties expanded to include the downtown waterfront business districts and residential areas, in addition to the 5,000 acres of City parks.

Today the Unit's heart and soul is its commitment to the communities of Seattle and beyond, helping build a bridge between community members and law enforcement by not only patrolling neighborhoods, parks and the downtown Seattle corridor, but also through its participation in countless community events and celebrations. As a secondary, but no less important mission, the Seattle Police Mounted Unit is an integral part of honoring fallen law enforcement officers for a myriad of surrounding agencies, providing a longtime, honored tradition of the Riderless Horse for all line of duty death memorials across the Pacific Northwest.

To the point of our letter, we are having a moment of de ja vu. The Seattle Police Department has announced its intention to close the doors of this treasured piece of heritage. It is with a heart-wrenching plea that we write to you today, begging you to help rally the troops, warm up your voices and help us save our unit, the last Mounted Patrol Unit in the Pacific Northwest. Once it is gone, there is no bringing it back, ask the Portland Police Department.

You've done it before when budget shortfalls at the City put the MPU in jeopardy in 2010, and we need you to do it again!

Help us by spreading the word to other community members and Mounted Unit supporters. Write letters to the Chief's office, including all the Assistant Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs, beseech City Councilmembers, share your stories that include the Mounted Unit and our beloved Police Horses, make them see that we are more than a line item on a budget sheet, that our impact goes beyond today, that we are an integral part of One Seattle.

Warmly,

Seattle Police Mounted Patrol Team