Police Might Not Saddle Up Anymore City Growth, High Costs Could Spell The End For Boise Mounted Patrols

Lack of money and growing pressure to put more officers in squad cars could slam the stable doors forever on the city’s mounted police unit.

The patrol needs about $35,000 to replace two horses and buy equipment, said Lt. Jim Kerns, who is in charge of the mounted patrol.

But the city’s growing population requires more officers to respond to calls, which could draw the last mounted patrolman off a horse and into a car.

“Increased population means putting enough police officers on the street and serving citizen complaints,” Kerns said.

Local police have had a mounted patrol for the past seven years on the Greenbelt, in parks and in the downtown area.

“Mounted police are an extremely valuable resource because they allow the officer more personal interaction with the public,” Kerns said.

John Crank, a criminal justice professor at Boise State University, has supported horse patrols.

“A police officer on a horse is going to be much more responsive,” Crank has said. Officers on horseback are “elevated and can see farther and can hear better without the sound of an engine.”

As demand for more patrolmen has grown, however, the horse patrol has shrunk from three officers to one.

Now, horses and equipment need replacing. In the next two years, the Police Department will have to replace two of its registered quarter-horses at a cost of about $5,000 each. In addition, saddles and other tack are wearing out. Replacing equipment and animals comes on top of the patrol’s regular budget of $15,000 to $20,000.

“We’re trying to work with the City Council to put together a budget proposal,” Kerns said.