At the South Shore Cultural Center, the Chicago Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit begins their day with grooming and training their 25 hardworking horses, each named after a fallen officer. The horses, ranging in age and background, are carefully selected and trained to navigate the city streets and assist in crowd control. The unit, comprised of 20 mounted riders, represents the diversity of Chicago and fosters connections with the community through their grace and beauty.
Officers and horses undergo a 14-week training program to establish trust and develop communication skills, preparing them for duty. The horses are exposed to various sounds of the city through desensitization exercises, ensuring they can navigate real-life scenarios with ease. The unit performs crowd control at events, parades, and protests, while also participating in official ceremonies and memorial services, making them a beloved presence in the city.
The mounted police unit, established in 1906 to address traffic congestion in the Loop, was disbanded in 1948 but returned in 1974 for a more visible and approachable police presence. The officers and horses end their day with evening rituals of grooming, checking for signs of fatigue or injury, and preparing for the next day’s assignments. The bond between each officer and horse is unbreakable, creating a cohesive unit ready to serve Chicago with pride.
