Mounted Unit

Horses are extremely effective tools in many aspects of police work and the Mounted Unit is both an aid to positive community relations and a practical approach to specific law enforcement problems.

Police officers on horseback are highly visible to the public, which results in increased crime deterrence and enhanced public safety. With their added height, horses also provide increased visibility for the mounted officers, while the presence of the horses makes the individual officer more approachable by the campus public and less isolated than they would be in patrol cars.

Mounted officers provide a range of services. They are able to handle complaints and medical emergencies, work traffic details and traffic enforcement, provide crowd control, patrol the less accessible areas of campus, act as a crime deterrent, and enforce laws.

The UMPD Mounted Unit currently consists of three full-time horses; Miller, Miranda, and Commander.

As with other UMPD specialized units, officers may request to serve with the Mounted Unit. They receive various levels of training depending on their previous equestrian experience. Officers who have limited skills in horsemanship participate in a rigorous year-long training program while riders with experience participate in an abbreviated training regimen.

The mounted training program consists of basic and advanced horsemanship skills such as riding, leading, tying, tack, grooming, bathing, feeding, trailering and hauling, as well as equine health care issues. The unit’s officers are also taught the essentials of horse-mounted operations in crowd control, civil unrest, search and rescue, and other relevant areas.

CONTACT

UMPD
585 East Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003-9600

umpd@admin.umass.edu
413-545-2121 non-emergency
413-545-3111 emergency or 911
413-545-3113 fax

Tips

Call 413-577-TIPS (8477) or use our Anonymous Witness Form.