The Knoxville Police Department is saddling up to reintroduce a Mounted Patrol Unit that harks back to its equestrian past. With an eye on enhancing public safety and community-police relations, the department has invested $39,000 of federal grant funding to procure two 3-year-old Percherons from Mounted Patrol International LLC located in Texas, as reported by WVLT. These new additions to the force are not only meant to be a high-visibility deterrent to crime but also aim to create a bridge between officers and the community they are sworn to protect.
Officials have stated that this initiative will enable officers to patrolling from an elevated vantage, offering them a unique perspective of the bustling streets of Knoxville. Placing two officers on horseback full-time—with additional officers in a part-time capacity—is to set to bring a focused enforcement in areas like Market Square, Gay Street, and Old City. Chief of Police Paul Noel shared his enthusiasm, saying, "I am thrilled to see it finally come to fruition," as quoted by WATE. The resumption of mounted patrols, expected to begin around March 2025, is seen as a force multiplier for city events, including parades and UT football games.
Effectively capitalizing on the unique capabilities of a Mounted Patrol Unit, the move is expected to enhance search and rescue operations, provide high-visibility patrols, and contribute to crowd control efforts. Such units are not foreign to the law enforcement landscape of America, with examples in Metro Nashville, Lexington, KY, and Charleston, SC. Mayor Indya Kincannon expressed optimism about the unit, stating, "This will enhance our efforts to keep downtown safe and inviting for all," her sentiment captured in a statement acquired by WBIR.
The newly acquired horses, which are currently housed at an off-site farm, will form the crux of the Central District's patrol strategy. With intentions to also leverage the unit during special city events, the department is carefully planning to ensure a community-oriented approach. Before deployment, selected officers are to undertake a rigorous 150-hour Mounted Operations training course in early 2025. Echoing the department's sentiment, Chief Noel emphasized the multifaceted benefits, telling WVLT, "Mounted Patrol Units have proven effective at improving community safety as well helping to connect officers to the residents they serve."
