The mission of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) is to protect members of Congress and secure government property on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. In 2004, a mounted USCP unit was established in order to enhance security on Capitol Hill. The unit patrols Capitol Hill and protects Congress seven days a week.

The USCP mounted unit is comprised of six horses and seven officers who have completed extensive training in early 2004. This world class mounted police unit has patrolled Capital Hill seven days a week since May 2004. The unit has played a critical role in emergency evacuations of the capitol, suspicious package reconnaissance, crowd control, demonstrations, parades and law enforcement actions.

The USCP mounted unit is targeted to be disbanded. The Legislative Branch Appropriations 2006, passed this summer before Congress recessed, eliminates this critical mounted police unit after a mere 14 months of patrolling Washington, D.C. Disbanding the unit was promoted by a handful of Congressmen, including Representatives Kirk (IL), Moran (VA), Lewis (CA) and Kingston (GA).

An amendment to remove the language eliminating the unit was put forth by Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (VA); however, it failed to pass the House. The issue did not receive adequate debate in the Senate nor consideration of the impressive accomplishments of the mounted unit. Much of the rationale given was based upon oversimplification of several inconsequential issues, and does not reflect the actual costs and benefits that the unit provides for the Nation's security.

The value of mounted officers is proven:

• A horse-mounted officer has much greater mobility and range of visibility than officers on the ground. A mounted officer can see 20 to 30 times further into a crowd. In cases of emergency evacuations (of the Capitol or elsewhere), mounted officers can observe imminent danger and better move a crowd away from danger, and are themselves more visible to individuals evacuating and looking for direction.
  
  
• Mounted officers can see into higher buses, trucks and other large vehicles, and see over vehicles, which gives them greater ability to identify suspicious individuals or materials.
  
  
• Mounted officers are more mobile than officers on foot or in vehicles. Mounted officers can move more quickly than officers on foot when chasing down a suspect and can go where vehicles cannot.
  
  
• Mounted officers provide a greater physical presence just by their greater visibility. Unruly crowds are more respectful of mounted officers' presence and mounted officers can more easily move crowds back. Alternatively, a mounted officer is more easily seen and approachable by the public.
  
  
• Mounted officers can identify and quickly respond to suspicious packages, and use the mount effectively to move large crowds away from potential blast zones in order to reduce civilian casualties. Officers on horseback are more effective at crowd control because people respect the larger horses. Individuals in a crowd can also more easily see mounted officers giving direction on where to go.
  

Some real life examples of the benefits of mounted units:

• During the Carter administration, mounted officers contained a mob attack in Washington, D.C. during a meeting between the President and Shah. The mounted officers were able to stop an advancing crowd of demonstrators at the gates of the White House.
  
  
• Crowd movement and control by USCP mounted officers during emergency evacuations of the Capitol, crowd control at demonstrations, traffic monitoring and control, enhanced security at entrances to mass transit sites and suspicious package reconnaissance.

The USCP mounted unit has proven its value on the streets patrolling the Nation's Capitol. The horses and officers completed over 480 hours of training prior to patrolling the streets and have received comprehensive in-service training. Their primary mission, to protect Congress, does not overlap or conflict with the role of the U.S. Park Police mounted unit, which patrols National Park Service facilities and other portions of Washington, D.C.

It is not logical nor cost-effective to disband the USCP mounted unit when the initial startup costs of the mounts, equipment and training have already been borne and their yearly operational costs are insignificant. All major expenditures have been made (e.g., horses, equipment, training). Stabling for the horses is currently free at a Federal facility; there is no need for an expensive facility. The annual operational cost (estimated $30 - 40,000) is minuscule compared with an annual USCP budget well in excess of $200 million. The cost for feed and maintenance is approximately $3.50 per day per horse.

The USCP mounted unit is critically needed due to increased homeland security needs and terrorism threats. A diverse group of individuals and organizations is advocating that the USCP mounted unit be maintained. The group includes leaders within the equestrian community and public at large. A web site is being developed.

The USCP mounted officers have done an exceptional job, quickly training officers (only two of which had prior riding experience) and horses (none of which had been used for police work) in a matter of months to become operational in downtown Washington, D.C. They do not deserve, nor does the American public deserve, to have this unit disbanded. To do so is a waste of tax payer dollars and places Congress as well as the visiting public at risk.

Action Needed Now:

Congress and the Senate must be urged now to reconsider eliminating this small but critical unit. HR2985 was passed with little opportunity for debate in the Senate. Immediate public response is needed!

Every individual who supports continuation of the USCP mounted unit is urged to IMMEDIATELY call, write and/or email their Senators and Congressional Representatives and politely request that they reconsider and continue this small but essential mounted police unit. It is essential that all Senators and Congressmen, as well as the White House, realize that there is the public support for the mounted unit.

Please see our "How YOU can help" page or use the following Information on contacting elected officials: http://www.senate.gov , http://www.congress.gov and http://www.whitehouse.gov

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