In 1879, Providence Police introduced a mounted unit to support patrol services. 100 years later, Mayor Cianci re-established the unit and it has been in continuous operation since 1980. The Mounted Command Stables are located in a beautiful facility at 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Roger Williams Park, as a result of an open space grant and is designated for this sole purpose. At its full complement, the
unit has enjoyed 15 riders and horses which is the maximum capacity for our facility. Currently, the unit is staffed with 4 officers, 6 civilians and 8 horses. Each of the officers is an experienced rider, patrol officer and community police specialist. The officers who represent this unit are carefully selected through a vigorous application process. These officer's attitudes exemplify the department's community policing philosophy as many of their encounters are friendly. Residents, business people and visitors regularly approach these officers to inquire of the horses or take a quick photo with them. As ambassadors of the City, the Mounted Unit is most visible at local parades, ceremonies, funeral escorts and a variety of other law enforcement functions. The officers and horses provide routine patrol services on the city streets during the day and night where they perform traffic direction, issue parking summons and apprehend violators of the law. The Mounted Unit is instrumental in clearing unruly crowds and crowd control during large events and night club closings. Additionally, the Mounted Command provides high visibility in heavily populated areas that can benefit from increased police presence such as Waterplace Park, the area surrounding Providence Place Mall, Thayer Street and Federal Hill.
