New-York tribune., 1905-06-25
EXPERT MOUNTED POLICE
Thoroughly Trained Men and Horses
an Detroit.
an Detroit.

New-York is not the only American city that
has reason to be proud of its mounted pohce-
men. Detroit also possesses a mounted police
force that has passed beyond the experimental
stage So thoroughly has the Detroit police de-
nartment demonstrated the efficiency and value
of mounted officers that cities all over the west
are beginning to seek information from De-
troit's Police Commissioner. Only few days
ago perhaps the best Illustration Of what
mounted officer can do was given by one OF the
Detroit mounted squad, who pursued an alleged
housebreaker through four back yards. Vaulted
five fences on his horse and captured his man
in alley
At present Detroit's mounted police force con-
tains thirty men who daily cover regular beats
in various remote parts of the city Any one
CT these officers could play a not Blimportant
part in a Wild West show, The men are taught
to ride at gallop while standing up in their
stirrups. The poorest rider in the force can
pick up an object from the ground while gallop-
ing at full speed. The members of the squad
have practised until they are crack revolver
shots while in motion The horses and riders
are trained to work in unison At a given signal
from rider his mount will suddenly sit back
upon it's launches. thus forming with its neck
and shoulders a perfect bulwark for its master.
At another signal this same animal will, in the
space of four seconds. roll over on its side,
allowing its rider to fire from behind it
One of the prettiest spectacles of the 'prac-
tice days" of the squad is to be seen when the
| thirty horses perform this maneuvre together.
Once week, on drill days. Detroit's mounted
policemen go through all of their fancy move
ments and eyoutions under the critical eyes OF
Captain LernueI Guinan, 'Neir trainer On
these days they charge wheel. march In
perfect alignment, shoot TO the front and rear,
ride Cossack fashion. do spiral work bareback
riding, hippodrome work, take the hurdles so
through the lying down drills and form hollow
squares If q rider shows himself deficient in
doing these things he is quickly dropped out Of
the squad and another takes his place.
These drills are inspiring sights. and thou
sands of Detroit people witness them every
Tuesday afternoon on a big COMMON, three miles
from the heart of the city. All of the horses
are fine animals and are Of one color. While
the regular drill hours come on Tuesday after
noon, the men drill great deal while off duty.
This outside work is given to the department
willingly. for all are deeply interested
This training has resulted in some rernarla-
BILE work. Last winter the police force of De-
troit the lookout for q diamond thief
Sergeant Parker, mounted policeman at that
time. was riding around his beat when he saw
the wanted alight from a streefeaE he
Immediately gave chase, and The thief BED him
the race OF his life. Over fences, tearing up
front lawns and backyardaI over hedges and
rubbish. Parker drove hts horse. now nearly
catching his man and then losing him tempo
rarily. The animal whirled and wheeled at the
slightest pressure of the officers knees, and it
was due greatly to the sagacity of the horse
that finally the man cornered- For this
clever bit Of work Parker promoted TO be
sergeant. and he is recognized the most
daring rider IN the squad
Not long ago Detroit mounted policeman
pursued two carbreakers who fed UP a railroad
track on a handcar at his approach. Squarely
up the centre of the track for half mile the
policeman pursued the thieves at gallop.
Within less than ten minutes the pursued men
were compelled to stop their car and surrender.