SELECTION OF MOUNTED
OFFICERS
In order to
become a San Jose Police Mounted Unit Officer, an officer needs to on
the police department for at least 3 years. When an opening
arises in the mounted unit an officer must fill out an application for
selection to a specialized unit. The testing process includes a
physical agility test, a verbal interview with the unit commander and a
unit supervisor. A current mounted unit officer will also ask
questions in order to test the officers’ knowledge regarding the
operation of the mounted unit and the responsibilities of a mounted
officer.
Part of the
interview is judged on how well the officer is able to articulate
his/her verbal skills for public speaking which is a major part of a
mounted officers’ assignment since the officer talks with the public
everyday and on occasion conducts school presentations.
Before an
officer begins the official mounted unit training, she/he has the
option of riding a horse with the units’ civilian trainer to see if
assignment to the mounted unit is a position that fits his/her physical
skills and learning ability. Once the testing process is
completed the officer’s scores will be ranked from highest to
lowest. The officer with the highest rating is eligible for
selection to the mounted unit and begins a 3 month riding academy with
a 1 month field training program with senior riders in the mounted
unit.
Most
officers entering the riding academy have little or no experience with
riding horses. This is not necessarily equated as a negative for
mounted recruits, and lack of experience should not hinder an officers
attempt to try out for the mounted unit. The riding academy will
teach the officer to ride a specific style that will instill confidence
in the officer to maintain control over the horse in any given
situation the officer encounters during the course of assignment in the
mounted unit which lasts 5 years.
The mounted
unit academy covers a wide variety of subjects including; healthcare
for the horse, breeds, colors and patterns, the physical conformation
and anatomy, the psychology of the horse. The use and care
for the tack and equipment, various types of riding disciplines which
include; English, Western, Dressage, Jumping, bareback are also taught.
Riding with and without reins, unit formations and crowd control
techniques on horseback are tested on a weekly basis. After the in
class and physical training, the officer will complete a mid-term test
and a final examination on all of the subjects regarding horsemanship
and equitation. In addition, there are weekly riding evaluations
of various riding patterns within the arena, scored by the units’
civilian trainer to gauge how well the riders’ skills have progressed
during the academy. If the recruit mounted officer successfully
completes the 3 month riding academy, he/she will participate in the
formal gradation ceremony with the entire unit participating.
During the
graduation ceremony the newly recruited mounted officers demonstrate
their skills they learned to a musical ride program in front of a
captive audience that includes dignitaries, invited guests and mounted
officers in attendance. This musical ride program is designed to
show off the rider’s skill of equitation, “the art of riding in harmony
with their mount.” After completing this part of the ceremony the
rider will be awarded their “crossed sabers” which is the emblem which
is a sign of the cavalry (crossed sabers are on the Friends of the San
Jose Mounted Unit logo). The new recruits have now earned the
right and respect to lead the unit out of the arena.
|
 |
FAMOUS HORSE TEAMS
- Horseman
with no name & Man with no name
|
|
