Tips for Interacting with APD Mounted Patrol
by ACRB Executive Director Lee Reid
As a civilian oversight agency, we accept a wide range of complaints that involve the actions of police officers and the tools and methods they use in the performance of their duties. Many years ago, while working for my former agency, we received a complaint involving a mounted patrol officer. The complaint alleged that the officer made the horse stomp on the citizen’s foot when the citizen approached to pet the horse, causing serious injury.
While attending and observing a recent City of Atlanta Public Safety Recruiting Fall Fest, I had a conversation with APD Mounted police officers. I asked the officers if there was any information that I could pass on to citizens related to interacting with mounted patrol horses. The officers shared that many citizens take an interest in the horses and their presence is commonly accepted; however, there are a few safety points that they believed citizens should remember when interacting with the horses.
If you pet the horse, only pet on the front leg shoulder or the top of the horse’s nose.
Never place your hand to the mouth of the horse for the horse to lick your hand, as you would with a dog, because the horse may bite you. Horses cannot see that it is your hand and will use its teeth to feel for food.
Do not allow little children to run or play underneath the horses.
Do not walk behind the horses.
These are just a few tips that officers believe would make the interaction with the mounted patrol less stressful for the horses and citizens.