Mounted UNIT

The authorized strength of the Mounted Unit is one sergeant and six constables. The unit presently has nine horses ranging in age from four years old to twenty-three years old. Although the horses represent many different breeds, the Unit has had the greatest success with the purchase of draught horse crosses.

The functions of today's Mounted Unit are many and varied. While the horses can still be seen patrolling the over 1,000 acres and 125 miles of roads and trails of Stanley Park, you are just as likely to see them at Granville and Davie or Main and Hastings. The Mounted Unit has also taken on a much larger role in the management of crowds at demonstrations and large events.

The Mounted Unit also takes great pride in its public relations and ceremonial roles. In addition to attending many formal ceremonies, the Unit are regular participants at the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade, the Canada Day Parade in North Vancouver, the "Spirit of the Sea" Parade in White Rock and the Santa Claus Parade in Vancouver.

The Mounted Unit's youth outreach includes offering guided tours of the stables and the occasional visit to Vancouver-area schools. The "Collector’s Trading Card Program" encourages children of all ages to approach a constable on horseback and request a card.

The Mounted Unit stables are located in the service yards of Stanley Park near the Rose Gardens.

History

In 1886, the village of Granville was incorporated into the City of Vancouver. It was not until 1909 that the first patrolman on horseback was assigned to mounted patrol duty in Stanley Park, a large, urban, heavily forested area now home to the Vancouver Public Aquarium, several restaurants and public recreation facilities.

In 1908, the Vancouver Police Mounted Squad was formed, consisting of 11 police officers and 12 horses. The first stable was located at Cordova and Main Streets, which allowed easy access to other areas of the rapidly growing city, such as Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant. In 1911, the Mounted Squad was increased to 20 riders and a second stable was established close to the entrance to Stanley Park.

World War I placed heavy personnel demands on the Police Department, resulting in drastic cuts to the Mounted Squad, which was reduced to only two members by the end of 1916.

The 1920s and 1930s were a time of labour unrest, unemployment, demonstrations and riots and the Mounted Squad began to rebuild. During this period, the Mounted Squad was used on several occasions to disperse crowds. In 1939, the Mounted Squad was chosen to provide an escort for the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Vancouver. By 1949, it had been decided that there was no longer a need for a Mounted Squad, and it was disbanded.

In 1951, the Squad was hastily and temporarily re-established in order to provide an escort for Princess Elizabeth and her husband Philip for their tour of Stanley Park. By 1953, the Parks Board was applying pressure on the Police Department to provide better policing for Stanley Park, and the Mounted Squad was re-established. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Mounted Squad was again used in major crowd control situations, such as the Gastown riot and numerous Grey Cup games.

Criteria & Training of VPD Horses

The criteria for selecting a potential VPD police horse is:

• gelding
• at least five years of age
• 16 hands high or better
• dark in colour
• of quiet disposition

The Department brings a candidate in on a 60-day basis during which the horse is subjected to nuisance training (e.g. balloons, firecrackers, obstacles, etc.) in the paddock. If the horse passes the tests, he is slowly introduced to the trails of Stanley Park and eventually the more crowded areas such as the Aquarium and the beaches. If accepted, the horse is purchased and is issued a badge number and taken on strength of the Department. A police member is then assigned to complete the training of the new recruit.