Image via Seattle Police Department/Facebook
Major metropolitan police departments have a good mix of transportation methods for police officers, often ranging from SUVs to bicycles. Horses are usually in there for a number of reasons, but Seattle Police Department is sunsetting its mounted patrol unit and the factors driving the decision might shock you.
Watch police on horseback chase down a shoplifter.
With the mounted patrol unit boasting a history of over 150 years, the ending is upsetting and more than a little bitter.
The reasons for ending the SPD mounted patrol unit are twofold. First, like so many other police departments, there have been staffing issues since 2020. With a concerted social program aimed at belittling law enforcement, it’s been tough for departments in cities where such ideas are considered in fashion to recruit new officers.
To maintain special units like this one, the police in Seattle need more officers than they currently have. Sunsetting the program we think is an acceptance that recruiting isn’t magically going to bounce back. After all, who wants to sign up for a job with low pay that also makes you the enemy of a city full of coffee shop philosophers?
The other reason is a lack of budget. Horses are expensive to maintain and train. Along with the push to make all police the villain came a movement to defund departments. No city we’re aware of completely defunded their police, but Seattle along with many other municipalities dramatically slashed the budget.
That means a mounted patrol unit has become more financially burdensome than it would be normally. When push comes to shove, administrators have to make painful cuts and this is one of them.
Over the years the unit has been downsized. It currently has only six horses used mostly for community outreach events, ceremonies, and memorial services. But soon they won’t be around even for that.
Image via Seattle Police Department/Facebook
