Mounted Patrol
In 1996, the Bergen County Police Mounted Unit celebrated ten years of providing highly visible police service to the County of Bergen. It was originally established to enhance the County Police presence in the approximate 8,000 acre county park system. The combination of a well-trained officer and police mount have allowed for the reduction of the number of officers required to patrol these facilities while actually increasing the depth of that patrol. We can now engage patrons of our parks on a one to one basis in areas which preclude patrol by motor vehicle. This has a particular advantage relative to searches for missing persons in the expansive wooded areas of our northern parks. The attributes of mobility and visibility also work in our favor when applied to smaller yet more congested park facilities. Officers on horseback are more approachable because they patrol a given area more slowly and are not separated from the public by the barrier of a car door. The inclusion of mounted patrols have not only enhanced the ability of the County Police to meet its police objectives, it has added an attraction to the facilities they patrol.
As the abilities and experiences of the mounted unit grew the addition of order maintenance duties were added to the unit's responsibilities. These functions include crowd control concerts, community civic events, labor disputes, protests and dignitary protection assignments. Most of the requests for the unit's services come from the municipal police departments of this county, however the unit has worked with the Port Authority Police, the Hoboken Police, the New Jersey State Police and on the federal level with the Secret Service. The unit has also supplemented municipal police patrols of business districts in various communities when their responsibilities to the county were not compromised.
The mounted unit also represents the County in educational forums. Members of the unit have conducted public safety presentations at the Police Academy, schools throughout the county and at the Meadowlands Arena. The unit has even won an award for its program for disabled and special education students.
The unit has added flexibility to the law enforcement abilities of this county without adding much to the department's budget. The officers of the unit perform this function in addition to their other responsibilities. Much of the expenses such as specialized training, equipment, and even the horses themselves are donated. Even the cost of purchased items are shared between two county departments that benefit from the program. With continued creativity we are prepared to address the challenges of the next decade and beyond.
Services Provided
The Bergen County Police mounted patrol is staffed by experienced police officers who have completed the New York City Police mounted police training program. They are extremely effective in several applications.
Crowd Situations (This includes civic functions, special events, parades, rallies, strikes, and demonstrations.) Business district patrol (The maneuverability and high-visibility of mounted patrols have made them very helpful in congested business areas during holiday shopping and special sale events.) Searches of large areas or irregular terrain. Public outreach (We will work with juvenile officers, community relations officers and others in presenting programs for schools and civic groups. The affinity people feel for horses may make your public safety message more effective.)
PO Charles R. Lekowski, Systems Administrator and Webmaster
Copyright © 1998-2003 Bergen County Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 20, 2003
