Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office mounted patrol provides unique crime-fighting tactics
From left Dee Tomshany and Brat, Paul Mobbs and Johnnie, and Cindy Flint and Nitro, three of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office mounted unit members at a recent class of the Citizen's Police Academy.
Lisa Allmendinger | AnnArbor.com
He’s part of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office mounted unit, which patrols the streets on horseback, offering deputies a catbird’s seat that allows them to look down into vehicles and travel in tight areas on four legs more quickly than on four tires or even on two legs.
“One horse and one officer equals 15 to 20 foot officers,” he said, because of the pair’s ease of mobility.
Deputy Cindy Flint and Nitro, a 17.5 hand Percheron.
Lisa Allmendinger | AnnArbor.com
Although Mobbs has been with the sheriff’s office for 24 years, it’s just been the past eight to nine years that he’s been part of the four-member mounted unit that’s frequently seen riding in parades and other public relations events for the sheriff’s office.
But those aren’t the only instances when a mounted unit comes in handy. The deputies are frequently found assisting the sheriff’s office in not just crime prevention but also criminal apprehension.
Johnnie, 9, an American paint horse
Lisa Allmendinger | AnnArbor.com
The deputy’s mounts are personally owned by the four members of the mounted unit, which has dwindled from a previous high of 10 members.
“We do it for the love of the animals,” Mobbs said, explaining that the riders pay for their horse’s way, including hay and feed, shoes and trailering to and from events and patrols.
At a recent class of the Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Police Academy, Mobbs rode Johnnie, a 9-year-old American Paint; Cindy Flint sat atop Nitro, a 10-year-old Percheron; and Dee Tomshany saddled up Brat, a 14-year-old American Paint horse.
“We patrolled the Dexter tornado area, providing emotional assistance,” Tomshany said, and recently, the trio had arrived at Hogback Road to greet the class and explain what they do after a day spent patrolling MacArthur Boulevard in Superior Township.
“We also go out on missing person cases because we can cover a lot of ground quickly,” Mobbs said.
Although more visible when the weather is good, he said they do not ride when it’s below 20 degrees.
The addition of a mounted unit combined with foot, bike and car patrols can be focused in specific streets and neighborhoods for crime prevention purposes, which is a key component of the sheriff's office community engagement approach to building sustainable communities.
Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com.
Comments
Justice4all
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.
AA.com, Can we get a "haters" alert button right next to the vote up and vote down ones? I see the same few people commenting negatively on every single article. Hey "haters" did you see the article where they use puppies in the hospital for sick children? Isn't that just a waste of time and money? SMH
Ann English
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
I've seen some of the photographs after the Dexter tornado, with tree branches lying across roads, making them impassable. Very practical to use horses to get through such areas.
Go Blue
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.
In response to the question posted by JCJ asking how many times this has been used in Ann Arbor. Actually, that would be none, zero. Washtenaw County Sheriff does not patrol in Ann Arbor or any city. City of Ann Arbor has their own police department, no connection to the Sheriff's Department. Same for Saline and Ypsilanti. Washtenaw County Sheriff patrols those areas that do not have their own police department. Ann Arbor does not have a mounted unit. And to quote the article "the riders pay for their horse's way, including hay and feed, shoes and trailering to and from events and patrols."
Sarah Parviz
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
Horses cannot be "17.5" hands, he could be 17HH, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 or 18 HH. Sorry for nitpicking but that drives me crazy.
Sarah Parviz
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
@JCJ I suppose, although I cant recall anyone I know using that as a description.
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 5:13 p.m.
While you would not say 17.5 hands. It would not be unusual to say 17 and 1/2 hands
just a voice
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
Anyone who is questioning weather this is worth it needs to weigh the cost of the officers time to allow them to use the horses, and the benefit we get from the horses. I think it is interesting that the officers pay for their own horses. Do they get higher pay for being a mounted officer? How much time do they spend working on the horses vs more traditional working roles? I've lived in Washtenaw county since 1985 and can't remember seeing mounted officers anywhere. I think this article could have a lot more information about this unique mounted unit.
Sarah Parviz
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
They provide their own horses, trailering and training - aside from paying them to patrol, these officers recieve no compensation for being on mounted patrol.
just a voice
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
damn it, can't edit for spelling error, DOH! I'm too used to typing in weather.com that typed it wrong.
ypsicat
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
Can't believe the number of whingers griping about the cost to the taxpayers. Reading comprehension, anyone? 'The deputy's mounts are personally owned by the four members of the mounted unit, which has dwindled from a previous high of 10 members. "We do it for the love of the animals," Mobbs said, explaining that the riders pay for their horse's way, including hay and feed, shoes and trailering to and from events and patrols."'
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
I will give you that cost does not seem to b4e an issue. But I stand by: when was the last time ANYONE saw a criminal chased on horseback in Ann Arbor?
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
I will admit I missed that. Maybe they added it after the fact. LOL
craigjjs
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
Does it not cost the taxpayers to pay these officers who could be doing real police work instead of riding horsies?
Tom Hart
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
As a long time horse lover, I'm much inclined to support this, and not just for emotional reasons. There are situations that are very well handled on horseback, and though the question of overhead is legitimate, I suspect the cost is within reason, relatively speaking. However, I'd rather see these officers wearing helmets, even when casually mounted.
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
"I suspect the cost is within reason, relatively speaking." I suspect it is not within reason, relatively speaking. Do you know what it cost to board a horse in this county? I have nothing against horses. But I am against spending without enough return!
zanzerbar
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
But can they rope while riding?
Dog Guy
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2 p.m.
As these three photos witness, our sheriff's department also has the front ends of horses.
Ron Granger
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.
Put the cops on bicycles. They'll get a lot more done. Mounted horse patrols have been shown to be a huge waste of taxpayer money. Where are the arrest stats, and the cost? There are many places horses cannot go. Parking structures. Through buidings or businesses. Between cars. Down narrow sidewalks. Mounted officers can't quickly ditch their horse and continue on foot, like a cop on a bike can. Horses require a lot of overhead due to the transportation, care, etc. Mostly, it's a cop on a horse, parading around. I don't see the "business case" for the horses.
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
jns131 I have asked, when was the last time ANYONE saw a criminal chased on horseback? Now I will ask the AAPD or anyone to provide a list of times this has been used in Ann Arbor? We are not in Idaho! Waste of money we don't have or you would see what it cost!
jns131
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2 p.m.
Actually horses don't spook in parades and go faster when trying to catch the average crook. As for the bike? If it breaks? The crook gets away. I would love to do horse patrol if my back would not go out so often and I was brave enough to attempt something like this.
xmo
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 1 p.m.
"One horse and one officer equals 15 to 20 foot officers," Sounds like a good way to increase police presence and reduce the work force!
observer
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
It's a shame that the county doesn't help with expenses......come on Clayton, you know that you will be there to pose for a p.r. with the horses.....
Trumpet
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
This is an article about something positive, and I am sort of stunned by the negativity expressed by some responders. The presence of horses always make people pay attention and I just cannot see a down side to this. And if all you have to worry about is a little horse poop, life must be pretty good.....
Justice4all
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
I think they said that the officers pay for all of the stuff.
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
When is that LAST time you saw an officer on horseback chasing a criminal? I have no problem with the availability of horses when needed. But DON'T try to make it out as the best thing since sliced bread! What is the cost of this?
jns131
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
Just remember this, everybody poops. As for the horse patrol? Wonderful idea.
Brad
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
"which is a key component of the sheriff's office community engagement approach to building sustainable communities" Fluff-speak alert!
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 12:24 p.m.
Let first say there are times when being on horseback is an advantage. "One horse and one officer equals 15 to 20 foot officers," he said, because of the pair's ease of mobility. Give me the 1 officers! Sounds like something that might have come out of the mouth of the Mayor to justify cuts! "So rather than having to drive around a block to chase a bad guy, a horse and rider can close the gap more quickly traveling between homes or commercial buildings without a need for a wider access point." I can't remember the last time I saw a mounted patrol. How many times have they been used in the last 10 years?
jcj
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
Must get that key fixed! Should have read 15 officers.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.
who cleans up the poop?
arborani
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
Probably less than a horse poop catcher bag emptier?
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
thanks for the answer. Do you know how much a horse poop catcher bag salesman usually makes in a year? ;)
tpapp
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 11:59 a.m.
It's caught in a bag that hangs under their tales.
Lizard
Mon, Apr 16, 2012 : 11:03 a.m.
You have my support. Having been a horse owner most of my life I know the power of a horse.