In May of 1998, the Dover Police Mounted Patrol began its deployment in our downtown area. The goal with this program was twofold. First, the primary goal was to increase the Police Department's sense of presence in the downtown area and secondly, they hoped to promote a positive image and enhance personal communication with members of the public.
The Dover Police Mounted Patrol relies on volunteers to accomplish a number of tasks from stable management to horse exercising. Some volunteers have extensive equestrian backgrounds, while others have none, but have been willing to "learn on the job". Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, and have parental permission if under 18. Experience with horses is not a requirement, but a willingness to work with and around our horses is.
Meet the Horses:
T.J. is a Percheron/Thoroughbred Cross Gelding who came to the Dover Police Department by way of Listowell, Ontario.
T.J. stands 16.3 hands and weighs approximately 1,500 pounds. T.J. is an extremely alert horse, with a very eager disposition. T.J. has been with the Mounted Unit since the very beginning. T.J. is ridden by Officer Michelle Murch and Officer Joseph Caproni.
Black Jack is the Mounted Patrol's newest member. Black Jack is a five year old Percheron/Thoroughbred Cross. Black Jack was donated to the Mounted Patrol Unit in 2007. Black Jack stands 16.2 hands and weighs approximately 1500 pounds and is still growing. Black Jack is currently in training. His primary rider is Officer Michelle Murch.
King Arthur is a registered Percheron draft horse. King Arthur stands 17 hands tall and weighs approximately 1,800 pounds. King Arthur was obtained by the Dover Mounted Patrol in the spring of 1998, to replace another horse who had colic and died. King Arthur was previously at the Tufts University Veterinarian School in Massachusetts where he was a stud horse. The handlers at the school felt he would be a perfect police horse, and when they heard of our horse dying, we were able to make arrangements to have him assigned to us. King Arthur is a large, bold horse, but with a disposition anxious to please. He is a very willing worker and loves the attention he gets from the community downtown. King Arthur was broke to ride and did basic mounted police training in the City of Boston. His primary rider is Officer John Usher.
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