Coming home today I round the corner and was taken aback to see two police officers astride horses, clopping down the street. We all stopped at the cross roads and they politely waved me on, I turned right, and they proceeded to cross the road disappearing from my rear view mirror.
It’s an inner city suburb. I suppose there is some street crime. I’m not aware that it’s a particular hotspot at 5pm in full sunlight but I’m not regularly checking into it.
To be honest, I wonder at the value of the mounted police. The horses are lovely but really how effective are they? The police say that it has reduced crime in some areas by up to 50%. Really? Show me the figures.
I get how they could be useful in crowd control situations, and possibly searching in the bush for missing persons, but inner city or suburban crime?
Prove me wrong if you know different… I’d like to be convinced. 
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I don’t really care if they are useful. I just think they look wonderful! LOL. Is that very irresponsible of me? I guess they have the ability to get around the issue of being stuck in city traffic. Motorbikes would probably do the same thing but not look as great.
apparently their hight from the horses allows them better viewing – they can see over backyard fences.
the horses also make them more “attractive” and “userfriendly”!
Possibly because the officers are higher they can :-
1-more easily spot dodgy behaviour
2-more easily be seen by criminals who will then crawl back into the shadows they came from instead of robbing the nearest milkbar
3- passers by will stare at the horses in fascination and forget they were out and about with illegal activities in mind.
Oh alright then.
They do look nice… and the point about looking over fences is well made.
This is what the police have to say about the SA Mounted Operations Unit. Bear in mind that the unit is also of historical significance, having been formed as part of South Australia’s very first police force.
“The South Australia Mounted Police is an integral part of today’s policing strategies, unique in its contribution to the maintenance of law and order. Apart from the highly visible roles of escort duties and mounted patrols, there are many ways the Mounted Operations Unit contributes to the safety of the people.
The size gives the mounted officer a greater field of view than the foot or mobile officer while, at the same time, providing a more obvious police presence. Generally, they have access to the same areas as other officers and can operate in areas impractical or inaccessible to officers in vehicles or on foot.
Imposing as they are, the non-aggressive presence of the horse enables mounted officers to safely and quickly defuse violent or antisocial situations, quite often without the hostility usually directed at other officers in similar circumstances. The mere presence of a police horse attracts immediate attention and provides an excellent medium for police and public interaction, particularly with those who would normally avoid police contact. When properly deployed, the mounted officer is an effective and modern police resource.”