The police’s equestrian brigades are still active, presenting unsuspected advantages.
You have probably already come across them. Equipped with their bomb, they roam the streets in uniform but on horseback. The mounted police are still far from having disappeared. However, with all the means of transport that exist today, their presence can be surprising. However, they are still very useful. According to the Ministry of the Interior, their main missions are: the fight against delinquency, maintaining order during demonstrations, searching for missing or fleeing persons, securing urban wooded areas, residential areas and city centers.
Mounted police have certain advantages in carrying out these missions compared to a pedestrian or motorized police officer. For example, they can patrol places that are difficult for vehicles to access, such as forests, beaches, etc. Being on such a mount also allows them to gain height and therefore see further and also to get to the scene of an offense more quickly than a person on foot.
In addition, the horse’s build can help keep crowds together. Mounted police are often used during demonstrations or large gatherings. On the other hand, the animal can also provide a reassuring aspect and allow for better contact with the population. “The population is very rarely aggressive towards riders, people take more time to talk,” assures Benoit Van Houtte, director of public security for the Belgian federal police, to RTBF.
Not just any horses are chosen for such a brigade. They are selected according to their breed, their coat and above all their size: they often measure between 1.70 metres and 1.80 metres and the preferred breeds are the Norman Cob and the Selle Français. They are then trained rigorously and accustomed to noise and agitation. Their saddles must be light and their shoes protected by rubber to prevent slipping.
For police officers, equipment is also mandatory, as well as a level 5 gallop issued by the French Equestrian Federation. They can apply for the exam after two years of seniority in the police. “Our horses are partners, we build a connection with them to understand each other and be efficient. They also remain our vehicles and work tools, it’s not a Sunday stroll,” summarizes Émilie Gouel, head of department in charge of the equestrian brigade in Lyon, for Actu.fr.