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Mounted Police Unit

History

The NT Mounted Police Force was in fact the whole Northern Territory Police Force in the 1800s, when the Territory was part of South Australia , until the 1930s when it became the Northern Territory Police Force.

Camels were used for patrols in the southern part of the Territory, horses in the north.

Patrols, using either camels or horses to ride and as pack animals, often lasted for two or three weeks.

Mounted police today

The Mounted Police Unit Complex at the Peter McAulay Centre was officially opened on 8 June 2004.

The unit is staffed by four police members, one civilian and a team of eight horses. Types of horses vary from thoroughbreds to warmbloods, with recent additions of Australian stock horses. There is no colour preference, however, due to climatic conditions in the top end, greys are not preferred. Horses are either obtained by purchase or donation, with emphasis on obtaining locally bred horses as they tend to handle the heat and humidity better.

Training police horses

Once a horse is acquired by the unit and bought to the stables, an assessment is conducted as to the level of training that the horse requires. The training begins with intense ground work and riding to ensure the horse is confidently moving in all three gaits used by the Mounted Police (walk, trot, and canter). The horse will then be taken on patrol through bushland and introduced to work in suburbs via quiet streets, working along side quiet older experienced horses.

The horses then begin social order training to accustom them to loud noises, flags, drums, crowds and other unusual situations.

Training is ongoing in this Unit but initially can take up to several months.

Members

Persons with an interest in joining the Mounted Police Unit must satisfy the normal entry requirements of the Northern Territory Police Force. On successful completion of recruit training, an officer may then express an interest in the unit and can attend to be assessed. If required, members may be further trained in horsemanship skills and riding. Upon successful completion of the probation period, officers may apply for positions as they become available.

The members of the Mounted Police are responsible for the daily care and maintenance of the horses, saddlery and equipment, including feeding and basic first aid treatment. Further to this, members are responsible for cleaning stables, waters and general paddock maintenance. Members of the unit carry out training and exercise of the horses.

Duties

The unit is focused on operational policing and duties include mounted patrols in suburbs of Darwin, Palmerston and rural areas. Members also attend remote localities to assist stations during special events and to assist with problem areas as they arise.

Other duties include patrols of schools, searches of bushland for stolen property, cars and drug plantations. Crowd management and traffic control duties are also undertaken by the unit. Official duties include ceremonial and memorial services.

Page Last Updated:
17 July, 2006