The Lubbock Police Department Mounted Unit currently consists of ten officers, with four in training. Within this group are a sergeant and a captain.
This Mounted Unit provides police patrol, assisting with crime prevention in our city. Officers regularly cover the downtown and depot areas, especially during events such as First Friday Art Trail. The unit also conducts neighborhood deployments. During the Zoe Campos investigation, they participated in area searches. This unit obviously plays a strong role in the protection of our city and I am grateful.
Another aspect of their valuable work is participation in numerous events throughout the community — including National Night Out, Foster Kids Birthday Bash, ABC Pro Rodeo, and Challenger Little League.
Officers in the Mounted Unit volunteer for this assignment as an ancillary duty and all hold other full-time positions within the department. Each Mounted Officer owns his or her own horse and takes 100% percent responsibility for the daily care of the horse. Through donations made to the Lubbock Police Foundation on behalf of the Mounted Unit the Foundation assists officers in offsetting some costs of feeding the horses.
This past year, solely due to the community support through the Lubbock Police Foundation five Mounted Officers and their horses attended the 11th Basic Mounted Patrol School in Midland. Six Mounted Officers attended the TEEX Large Animal Rescue School jointly hosted here in Lubbock with the Lubbock Fire Department Search and Rescue Team members this past October.
It was my honor to photograph this excellent group of Mounted Officers and their horses this past week. Enjoy a selection of images from their photo session.
Members of the Lubbock Police Department Mounted Unit
