Police horses are always in attendance at bashes like Halloween, but Madison police are training more mounted officers than ever, saying the animals provide more advantages than just a birds-eye view.
According to Captain Jill Klubertanz of the Madison Police Department, using mounted horses is a new program for the force. She said in the past, horses were only used during Halloween, but due to their success they will be used more often beginning this summer.
Klubertanz said despite little nuances, the use of horses is a great asset to the police force. ""It is easier to keep an eye out for problems and move through the crowd,"" she said. ""If you do have to move the crowd, the horses are a real benefit there.""
Klubertanz said horses offer many advantages for large-scale events such as Halloween and the Mifflin Street Block Party. She said horses can be expected at this year's Mifflin Block Party, as well.
Kari Sasso, UW Campus Police sergeant, said in Dane County, police horses are all personally owned, which means the cost of maintaining the animals falls on the officer. The horses are all kept at private locations at the expense of the officer, she said.
""I can get a lot of different places that a vehicle can't, like out on Picnic Point or the Arboretum and it's a fun, different way to do patrol,"" Sasso said.
Patrolling on horseback is like an extracurricular activity, Sasso said. She said a unit of officers is allowed to do mounted patrol in addition to their police work.
Officers have to go through a training course which usually lasts about one week in order to become certified as a mounted officer, according to the MPD. Klubertanz said the training lasts about 40 hours and focuses on training both the rider and the horse.
Despite the many benefits to patrolling on horseback, Klubertanz said a few drawbacks make the job difficult at times.
""One thing you have to consider, a horse unlike a car or a bicycle is a little more unpredictable,"" Klubertanz said. ""We hope that we can get them trained to do what we want but there is no guarantee.""
