Officers of the Los Angeles Police Department Mounted Platoon shown on duty performing crowd control in 2019. [Shutterstock]
Aiming to enhance emergency response capabilities and community relations, the Pasadena City Council voted unanimously as part of Monday’s consent calendar to restore its mounted police unit, nearly two decades after the program was discontinued in 2005.
The restoration authorizes a side letter agreement between the City and the Pasadena Police Officers Association to create the Mounted Enforcement Unit, which will deploy five officers on horseback for duties ranging from crowd control to search and rescue operations in areas with limited vehicle access.
The mounted officers will assist with natural disaster responses while maintaining a visible presence at special events, demonstrations, and parades, expanding the City’s emergency response capabilities.
In a cost-effective arrangement, officers will lease their personal horses to the City for $1 per year. The City will compensate officers $22.50 per hour for off-duty horse care, paid for one hour per day, seven days per week. This compensation covers feeding and cleaning the horse, attending to physical health and grooming, training and medication, arranging veterinary care, and performing daily maintenance of the horse’s equipment and vehicle.
The agreement, developed following discussions between staff and the Police Association on August 6, 2024, provides comprehensive equipment including department saddle, saddle blanket, saddle bag, badge, and assignment of a horse trailer and towing vehicle.
To protect the mounted officers’ horses, the City will provide veterinary coverage up to $7,500 per injury while on duty, plus a death benefit of up to $10,000 if a horse dies while performing police duties.
According to the Human Resources Department proposal, the mounted unit’ benefits include “promoting positive community interactions, utilizing proactive enforcement techniques, and establishing a visible police presence to reduce crime.”
The program will cost approximately $65,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2025 and up to $130,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2026, with 100% of costs impacting the General Fund. These costs will be absorbed within the Police Department’s existing operating budget, with staff monitoring personnel expenses and requesting additional appropriations if necessary during the fiscal year.