Australian Police

Australian Police

The Thin Blue Line – Australian Police

The Mounted Police Unit

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The first body of Mounted Police in Australia was formed by Governor Brisbane on the 7th September, 1825.

History

After the amalgamation of the various Police bodies throughout the State in 1862, the Headquarters of the Mounted Police was established at the Belmore Barracks, now the present site of Central Railway Station. Then, in 1907, after temporary occupancy of premises at the Sydney Showground, were transferred to the Police Depot, Bourke Street, Redfern. Today, the Mounted Section is the only remaining Police Station in New South Wales continuing Mounted Police, which is the oldest continuous Mounted Police Unit in the world.

Police Horses

The Officer in Charge prefers to select unbroken horses, all geldings, bay in colour, and showing some thoroughbred qualities. The type of horse purchased must stand 15.3 hands, be free of blemishes, have a good intelligent head and be between three and five years of age. Of the 30 horses attached to the Section, there are a number of ex-race horses which have been presented to the Police Force and all have given an excellent account of themselves whilst carving out Mounted Police duties.

Training Police Horses

A young untrained Police Horse is first, taught to tie up, lead on foot and lead from a horse. His education continues through various stages until he is able to be ridden and walked around with quiet troop horses. Later, he is taken to Centennial Park where, in the company of well trained troop horses, he is taught to drill. During his training, the young horse is taught to walk, trot and canter correctly, to rein back, side passage, and most important of all, to stand still

The basic training of the average horse takes about nine months, divided into three periods, i.e., firstly, to develop his physical power to make him quiet and to teach him to move forward freely; the second phase is to make him balanced and collected and obey the various aids quickly, and the third phase is devoted to training him to go quietly whether in front or behind or alongside other horses.

The new horse is ridden with an experienced horse in traffic around the city and inner suburban areas or any place where he is likely to be used at a later date. The first of official duty of the new Police horse is Street Patrols in the Redfern area.

Mounted Police – And Duties

At present there are 31 personnel, attached to the Mounted Section, and all applicants must pass a test in horsemanship. after completing an induction course at the Police Academy Goulburn, trainees are sworn in as Probationary Constables. They are then assigned to a Patrol Station for 2 years.

Applicants can apply for the assessment riding test after completing 12 months at a Patrol Station.

When Constables transfer to the Mounted Section they are instructed in the care and attention of horses and saddlery, riding skills, equitation and lance drill. All Constables receive Mounted Drill instruction at Centennial Park, which forms the basis of the Musical Ride conducted at the Royal Easter Show and other shows. During their training, Constables receive instruction on basic Mounted Police Duty and Traffic Control.

Fatigue Duty

All constables are responsible for the care and maintenance of their own saddlery and the grooming of their individual horses. In addition to this, they also maintain the cleanliness of the stables. One day weekly is devoted to training of horses and personnel with Instruction given in troop drill, crowd control, escort duty and various equestrian skills as well as police procedures.

Operational Duties

Parks Patrols – Street Patrols

The Mounted Police perform Park Patrols in Centennial Park, Hyde Park, The Domain and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair; and Street Patrols in the Rocks, Millers Point, Kings Cross, Woolloomooloo, Darling Harbour and Redfern areas of the City of Sydney, on a regular basis. Also patrols are carried out in the Suburban areas of Manly, Bondi, Cronulla, Liverpool and Parramatta. All the above patrols are performed during daylight hours and into the evening with the late shift concluding at 1.30am. Patrols are conducted in “pairs”, with both Constables being equipped with Portable Radios. Mounted Patrols have been highly successful because of their mobility and elevation, and involve all areas of Police duties from the arrest of offenders to charging, and subsequent court appearance.

Special Operations

The Mounted Police are available to assist General Duties Police on “Special Operations, in the City of Sydney, Suburban areas and Country areas of NSW. These operations consist of :-

  1. Crowd Control & Traffic Control, at major functions or events (i.e. New Years Eve Celebration, Festivals, Carnivals, major sporting events, etc.). It has been said one Police horse is more effective than ten foot Police when performing crowd control.
  2. Searches – mainly in country areas or outer suburban areas, in National Parks, for lost persons, escapees, drug plantations, etc.
  3. Stock mustering – Mounted Police can assist, Stock Squad Police R.S.P.C.A. Officers, and Local Government impounding officers, in mustering stolen or emaciated stock, and are equipped to assist Local Police in re-capturing runaway horses in the city and inner suburban areas.

Operational Duties consist of at least 80% of the duties performed by the Mounted Unit.

Protocol and Public Relations Duties

Parades and Escorts

The Mounted Police perform Protocol Engagements consisting of leading processions or parades (i.e. Anzac Day March, Tickertape processions, etc.), and State or Police funerals. Mounted Escorts are provided for members of the Royal family, the Governor General, the State Governor and various other V.l.P.’s on such occasions as the opening of Parliament, opening of Major Agricultural Shows, and attendance at major social or sporting fixtures.

The lances carried by Mounted Police, whilst on parade were presented to the Troop in 1957 by General Carriapa, High Commissioner for India.

Musical Ride

The Mounted Police perform the Musical Ride at Sydney shows and at larger country shows. The musical ride consists of a series of precision drill movements performed in time to the music of the New South Wales Police Band, over an area measuring 100 metres by 50 metres and is of approximately 20 minutes duration. This exhibition has received acclaim from many overseas visitors and is considered to be one of the most spectacular rides in the world.

Vaulting

A vaulting exhibition is a feature of many displays performed by the Mounted Police annually, throughout the State. The routine is gymnastics on horseback and requires physical fitness and co-ordination, which develops good balance for riders.

Official Excursions

Excursions by various groups (i.e., Pony Clubs, Schools, Senior Citizens, Guides Scouts, etc.) may be arranged by conducting the Officer in Charge. Specific days are allocated for this purpose, with as many as 800 per day. The average annual attendance is in excess of 10,000.

The excursions are in 2 phases:

  1. A tour through the stable complex at Redfern.
  2. An exhibition of Police Horse Training and a Vaulting Displays.

Summary

The New South Wales Police Force is very proud of the Mounted Section, an efficient support unit in operational duties, and an imposing and spectacular sight on all ceremonial and Protocol engagements, promoting a valuable Public Relations image.

29 thoughts on “The Mounted Police Unit

  • ORGANIZING OFFICER,TOURS SYDNEY MOUNTED POLICE,

    The last time we had the privlidge was back on the 25th January 2018, we are hoping to do a repeat
    visit,either in April or May this year,at your convenience.

    Regards,Graham Tindale,Mob 0439599465 or 02 94161651

    Reply
    • Hi Tim,
      This website is not directly affiliated with the NSW Police Mounted Unit.
      They do have a Facebook profile and you should be able to reach them directly via that portal.

      regards

      Cal
      Retired NSWPF

      Reply
  • As a member of the Melbourne-based WW2 Rats of Tobruk Association, I have become aware of the existence of one of your horses bearing the name ‘Tobruk’. (Sincerely hope he is ok after yesterday in Sydney?). I am just wondering if someone can explain how he came to be given this name?
    Many thanks for what you do.

    Reply
  • reese klein

    how long does it take to become mounted police and do you have to buy your own horse?

    Reply
  • Where can I buy a retired mounted police horse?

    Reply
  • Don Cameron

    What type of saddle is used for training the horses? And is the same saddle used for crowd control duties?

    Reply
  • Malcolm Botfield

    I would like to know the history of the Lances carried by the NSW Mounted Police. The Reserve Forces Day Council are having 2 police in the Guard of Honour for VIPs at a Parliament House Lunch, 8th October 2020. It would be a point of interest to announce as they march into the dinning room. Malcolm Botfield function RSM.

    Reply
    • Hi Mark,
      If you contact the Police Assistance Line ( PAL ) on 131444 and ask for the Mounted Unit, you should be able to speak with the OIC there – who should be able to give you the information you seek – otherwise, try their Facebook feed on https://www.facebook.com/MountedPoliceNSWPF.
      There is also a general enquiry phone number attached to their Facebook page = 02 9319 2154

      regards

      Cal

      Reply
  • Kathrine Pine

    Can you become a Mounted Police first? Or is there any more training prior? Also is there a Mounted Police camp type thing? To give people an idea of what it’s like.

    Reply
  • Not sure if this is the right place, but I have a 6yo OTT gelding 16.2/16.3 that might make a useful police horse. I’m happy to donate him, he has a very quiet temperament and moves quite nicely but in truth he’s just a bit big for me. Located Newcastle area.

    Reply
    • Hi Vicki,

      Contact the Police Assistance Line ( PAL ) on 131444 and ask to be transferred to the Mounted Unit who should be able to answer your question.

      regards

      Cal

      Reply
    • Vicki you have no idea re later comments, you don’t need spurs. Best you donate your horse.

      Reply
  • I was incredibly disappointed to find that the Mounted Police in Adelaide use spurs when riding. A trained rider should be skilled enough that when riding on a highly trained horse should not have to resort to such a medieval practice. The officers were not performing any crowd control, but walking down quiet streets on a Sunday evening. I watched as the female officer dug her spurs in, and maintained this for an extended period of time, into her perfectly behaved horse whilst crossing at a traffic light, with absolutely no urgency. I was terribly saddened.

    Reply
    • Amy-Rose since you weren’t riding the horse, and I assume have no knowledge of the horse in question, I hardly think you are in a position to judge. The horse may have been perfectly well behaved BECAUSE the spurs were there, keeping him in line.

      Reply
      • Sorry Viki I agree with Amy-rose in regard to the Spurs comment. You should not have to dig your spurs into your horse especially at a walk. Spurs used correctly are a useful tool just like a crop especially in training. Plus your reply was quite dismissive to the point of rudeness. By the sounds of it you may be the one who needs more training than the horse. Walking down a quiet street there should be no need for using your spurs and if you can’t control your legs so there not digging into your horse maybe you should get off and walk.

        Reply
  • Hello, I would like to offer a retiring mounted police horse a well deserved home. I have a big property and the time to look after him/her. Who do I contact in order to put my name on the list? Thank you

    Reply
  • Jaime Guerra García

    My name is Jaime Guerra, I am inspector student in National Academy of Police in Avila (Spain). Days before I contacted with your embassy in Madrid who helped me and provided this web to contact you.
    Actually I have started my Master’s thesis about “ The use of horses in the police”, one of the reasons why I chose this subject was that I had been officer training in police mounted here in Spain in Seville during ten years, but there are few information and Knowledges about the different corps and horse units in different countries, whether in the web or publications.
    I would like to know if it was possible to contact with a the Horse Unit in Australia and ask some information about methods, objectives, numbers and general aspects.
    I would appreciate your collaboration and help to get this information, somebody who can provide me or an address to whom I could address to.
    Email. warjaime@hotmail.com

    Reply
  • isaiah mwangi

    if i am a mounted police officer in another country can i still join this Australian mounted police?

    Reply
      • Isaiah Mwangi

        What’s the procedure.. I want to join specifically mounted police.

        Reply
  • do you have to have a horse to be a part of it? And what atar or course grades do you have to have to be able to do it?

    Reply
    • Hi Abby,

      You would be better phoning 131444 ( Police Assistance Line ) and ask to be transferred to the Mounted Police Unit and have a talk with the staff there.

      Cal

      Reply
  • How old do you have to be, to be a mounted Police Officer?

    Reply
  • Christine Wardrop

    How do I contact the Mounted Police to organise a seniors tour for 17th September 2019

    Reply
    • Hi Christine,

      If you contact the Police Assistance Line ( PAL ) on 131 444 and ask for the Mounted Unit, they will transfer your call to them.

      Regards

      Cal

      Reply
  • Paul Worsfold

    Does the Mounted Section have its own dedicated equine physiotherapist, are all such services outsourced to commercial veterinary or equine practices?

    Reply

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