Mounted Branch

Duties of an Officer

The Mounted Branch today has a horse strength of about 120, a total of 150 officers plus civilian support staff. A normal tour of duty consists of a patrol of 3 to 4 hours, although at times this may be extended depending upon the duty they are required to perform. Fitted around this is the care and maintenance of the horses and tack which they perform assisted by civilian grooms based at the stables. Though based at a particular stable they might perform duty anywhere that their specialism is required and for this purpose they may be transported by Horse Box to distant locations.

Mounted Officers play an important part in the community with visits to Schools and various clubs but they are generally required to perform two main functions, high visibility patrols and public order. These are as follows:

Mounted Branch directed patrols

These are patrols in an area designated by borough policing in order to show a visible police presence and deter criminals from committing crime. The type of crimes and offences may vary but in general are burglaries, robbery, theft of and from motor vehicles, rowdiness and vandalism.

Mounted officers also patrol open spaces that would not usually see a police presence. Offences at these venues can consist of criminal damage and anti-social or indecent behaviour. The Mounted Branch is extremely successful at making these areas safer, for which local residents are usually very thankful.

Public Order

This duty is more defined and can range from a visible presence to intervention to resolve violent disorder at public order events. From a vantage point 8 feet high the Mounted Officer is afforded a view that is invaluable at crowded venues. From this position the officer can spot possible potentially violent confrontations or crush situations and alleviate the problem with crowd management tactics.

It is estimated that a trained Mounted Officer on a trained horse can be as effective as a dozen officers on foot in such situations.

Football and other sporting venues

These can vary from 4,000 to 80,000 or more. Most crowds are good natured and passive. However, at some events, the mood of the supporters can swing very quickly from friendly banter to violent confrontations. In these last situations the Mounted Police can resolve the problems very quickly in a restrained and disciplined way. During the football season a Mounted Officer could Police 3-4 Football Matches a week.

Demonstrations

Public demonstrations, too, can range from good natured to openly hostile. Even if the hostility is initially directed at the perceived objects of the demonstration it can soon swing towards police if they are seen to try to prevent any unlawful intentions of the crowd. Extensive and deep public order training has prepared the officer and his mount for these eventualities. It is from the outstanding actions of Mounted Officers and their horses in past years that such incidents as the clearing of the pitch at Wembley in 1923 by PC George Scorey and 'Billie' become part of the cultural and collective memory of this country.

Ceremonial events

This is the most high profile part of a Mounted Officer's duties. From escorting Royalty and ceremonial military movements to marshalling tourists wishing to see the daily Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the Mounted Branch are an essential part of the life and security of central London.

On very important events the Mounted Police provide officers to act as the Sovereigns Escort. From the annual Trooping of the Colour Ceremony to Royal Weddings and Funerals there will be the Escort 'topping' and 'tailing' the procession. This duty is performed to the most exact timing as the slightest deviation from the plans can be disastrous for a procession of several hundred marching soldiers accompanied by Cavalry and Coaches. Mounted Branch led the procession for Princess Diana's, and the Queen Mother's funeral.

The history of the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch is long, honourable and distinguished. Its public order tactics honed by years of experience are the envy of the world. It really is difficult to foresee a time when the use of the horse will not have an important role to play in modern policing and public order.