The 40 officers and 24 horses of the Toronto Police Mounted Unit respond to hundreds or protests, missing persons or crowd management calls yearly.
The Toronto Police Mounted Unit which is 138-years-old may soon be gone if City Council has its way.
The City budget committee has sought a report on the Unit to determine its cost and if is worth keeping as they grapple to raise $1.8 billion to pay its deficit.
The budget will be voted on by City Council on February 14.
A police report said the Mounted Unit, with a budget of $5.9 million, is the longest serving unit in the history of the force.
Members of the Mounted Police helping in crowd management duties. The Unit faces a possible budget cut.
“Its rich history and tradition is entwined with that of the City and the Service,” according to a report prepared for a budget committee. “The Mounted Unit provides support services to the front line members in the areas of crowd management and community patrol.”
The unit has about 40 officers and 24 horses which are stabled at the Horse Palace on the Exhibition Grounds.
“From their elevated vantage point on top of the horse, the officer can anticipate threats in the crowd, monitor crowd dynamics, communicate directions or observe for missing persons,” the report stated.
City Council is looking at cutting the budget of the historic Mounted Unit.
It said the use of horses are recognized as the most effective nonviolent way of moving a large crowd and is equal to having at least 10 officers on the ground.
“Mounted Unit is a vital component of the Public Order Unit when responding to large planned or spontaneous demonstrations, sporting events or celebrations,” police said. “A horse is a large animal that people at crowded events will make way for without any elevated use of force or struggle.”
They provide an effective de-escalation tool for crowds in light of a recent marked increase in crowd management resources brought on by COVID protests and demonstrations in response to the Middle East conflict.
Police said when the FIFA World Cup arrives in Toronto in 2026, the Mounted Unit is expected to play a significant role in crowd management as events are expected to draw large crowds.
Mounted Unit taking part in official police ceremony.
The horses help remove or breakdown the barriers that prevent the youth or children to feel comfortable to approach and interact with police as the unit attended 143 community events in 2023.
The Mounted Unit is routinely called upon to help with missing person searches involving the elderly, vulnerable persons, children and suicidal individuals. The horses were deployed to 66 searches for missing persons last year.
They are used to help officers control large unruly crowds during pandemic related lockdowns and at Woodbine Beach during the Canada Day and Victoria Day weekends that saw large groups launching fireworks at first responders and families.
The Mounted Unit annually participates in several parades throughout the City, including the Santa Claus parade and Warriors Day Parade at the CNE, police said.
Officer on horse involved in one of dozens of searches for missing or vulnerable people.
“The Service’s Mounted Unit is the gold standard of operational Mounted Units in North America with several agencies often reaching out for counsel.”
The unit last year took part in 143 community events, 84 cases involving crowd management, 55 ceremonial events, 110 searches, 475 radio calls, 93 vehicle stops and 993 patrols.
“The Mounted Unit has an ability to effectively and safely manage crowds and is an integral part of the Service’s overall response to large scale events, demonstrations and protests,” police said.
“The Unit is able to successfully manage large scale events that could potentially turn violent,” according to the report. They “reduce the requirement for additional officers and costs and lowering the risk of injuries to officers and the public.”